Written question WQ83116

The new Innovation Programme for Health and Social Care consolidates and strengthens existing innovation activity across Health and Social Care in Wales. In developing the new innovation programme all existing Welsh Government Health and Social Care innovation funded projects and programmes have been taken into consideration. This includes, but is not limited to the following projects and programmes: Health Technology Wales, Intensive Learning Academies, Small Business Research Initiative, Research Innovation Improvement Coordination Hubs, Bevan Commission, Accelerate and Agor IP.

As part of the consolidation of existing health and social care innovation activity Welsh Government officials are liaising with innovation leads across the health and social care sector; including across all health boards and trusts in Wales, Regional Partnership Boards, Welsh universities, the third sector and industry via the Life Science Hub Wales and Medi Wales. Further engagement is planned in September via the Health and Social Care Innovation Steering Group led by Life Sciences Hub Wales.

I do not expect to publish the innovation programme for health and social care as a document. The innovation programme is strongly aligned to A Healthier Wales, our strategy for health and social care in Wales, which was widely consulted on. The programme consolidates existing projects and programmes, several of which are a result of delivering against commitments made in A Healthier Wales.

As a programme of ongoing activity, there will be continuous engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and delivery partners, rather than consultation on a draft document.

Health and Social Care innovation activity will feature prominently in the future Innovation Strategy for Wales. In developing this Welsh Government strategy a broad spectrum of stakeholders will be encouraged to engage in a consultation process, including those stakeholders with a specific interest in health and social care innovation.