The Briefing Room - Ministry of Health Tech

After a year of ups and downs it’s time for some Christmas joy in the briefing room - we celebrate some of the things that are working really well in health tech, like digital first GP practices of the future and heart-warming music tech for people with dementia. We ask why the NHS app is suddenly sticky, review all the achievements of the year gone by, reveal what’s coming-up next year, and hear 2025 highlights from a star-studded cast of industry innovators.LINKSFollow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-techRegister to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6rFind out more about Music for My Mind …https://musicformymind.com/Find out more about Digital Health Rewired 2026 …https://digitalhealthrewired.com/ MUSIC & FX CREDITSV/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com"Christmas Rap" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Chee Zee Beach" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Beach Party" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Oh Xmas Tree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Laserpack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Space Jazz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imunohttps://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

Damian’s been at the House of Commons pitching three ideas for reform in the health tech market - and we’re joined by former Health Minister Lord James Bethell who’s helping us rip it all to pieces. As 2025 draws to a close, an esteemed panel of innovators helps guide us on plans for how the industry needs supporting in 2026 - plus, for a bit of light relief, we have the behind the scenes bloopers from Westminster and an invite to join us for a health innovators Christmas networking breakfast at Hale House. LINKSFollow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-techRegister to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6rRegister to join us for breakfast at Hale House on 02 Dec 2025 …https://www.onehealthtech.com/events-1/winter-warm-up-a-health-innovators-networking-breakfastRegister for the Future Nurse AVT in nursing webinar on 15 Dec 2025 …https://futurenurse.uk/2025/11/10/upcoming-avt-and-nursing/Find out more about Pitchfest at Rewired 2026 ...https://digitalhealthrewired.com/pitchfestGet in touch with Silver Buck before 28 Nov 2025 for free support in applying to Pitchfest:https://www.silver-buck.com/contact-us/ MUSIC & FX CREDITSV/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com"Nowhere Land" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Laserpack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Beachfront Celebration" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Space Jazz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Slow Ska Game Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Island Meet and Greet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imunohttps://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

Scrummy mummies, zombies, AI driven sales intelligence for start-ups, phobia-busting extended reality, Canada’s health tech market and the boringly named NHS Medium Term Plan. We enjoy a visit from health tech megamind Liam Cahill, surgically dissect our Halloween networking event and deliver an unmissable offer of free support to help you apply for Pitchfest at Rewired 2026. What’s not to like about that? LINKSFollow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-techRegister to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6rFind out more about Crows Nest …https://crowsnestai.net/Book a free consultation with [email protected] out more about XR Therapeautics …https://www.xrtherapeutics.co.uk/mental-health-careFind out more about Pitchfest at Rewired 2026 ...https://digitalhealthrewired.com/pitchfestGet in touch with Silver Buck for free support in applying to Pitchfest:https://www.silver-buck.com/contact-us/Apply to the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme before 28 Nov 25 …https://nhscep.com/ MUSIC & FX CREDITSV/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com"Voxel Revolution" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/“Windel Pixel and his Banjo Buddies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Laserpack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Chipper Doodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Space Jazz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Island Meet and Greet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imunohttps://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

Having learned yesterday about thinking "pathway not product", developing informed game plans and how to build coalitions instead of concerns, the team are back for the final episode. More expert guests help to explain how to ensure there is demand for change and how to link policy to problem solving. They question when is the right time to call an implementation complete and discuss how to amplify your critical signals agains the noise of the innovation landscape. Base on the Health Innovation Network's "Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation" these two unique special edition podcasts offer compelling insights for both innovators scaling products and intrapreneurial health care professionals, in an essential and comprehensive guide to successful health tech innovation. LINKSFollow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-techRegister to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6rExplainer video “Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation” …https://thehealthinnovationnetwork.co.uk/health-innovation-network-explainer/Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation …1. Think pathway not product. The implementation of innovation is almost always about complicated technologies being adopted within complex environments. This means that it is not helpful to only focus on adding a single “point solution” into an existing way of working. Instead take time to understand the whole pathway being affected by the solution, making sure that you explore the reality for the staff, the users and the organisations involved in delivering that service. Consider the cultural implications of change just as much as the technical requirements.2. Develop an informed game plan. Work through the implementation end-to-end by drawing together trusted experts with practical experience to build a collective understanding of the change process – and importantly help you to identify and address any blind spots. The use of a framework can help this thinking to be systematic and simulation or scenario exercises can be particularly helpful.3. Build coalitions not concerns. 
Evidence collation is an opportunity to build a coalition for implementation. Consider who needs to be convinced, what evidence they are looking for, and how that evidence speaks to the genuine problems that they are actually facing. Disruptive innovation is alienating for those being disrupted, so work with early adopters to develop practical ‘how to’ examples; use trusted opinion leaders to amplify communication; and engage with royal colleges, patient groups, clinical bodies and other key stakeholders as early as possible.4. Ensure there is demand not just supply. 
Think how to create system ‘pull’. Work first where there is already natural demand for change; and consider the range of incentives that will help your project to stand out against the competing demands of other system requirements, or – even better – support the delivery of those other priorities. Where possible find ways to share the accountability for implementation with system leaders, and delivery organisations.5. Link policy to problem-solving. 
Anticipate and reduce barriers to implementation; and work closely with early adopters, commissioners and policy makers to solve problems together. Initial policy can be turned into early practice, but early practice must then refine policy. For example, this might include payments and funding rules, regulatory permissions, or planning guidance inclusion. Keep iterating so that impact influences policy which then influences impact and so on.6. Amplify the signal against the noise. 
Radical change and innovation can happen quickly, but is rarely the norm. We shouldn’t expect widespread uptake at speed where conditions don’t require, support, or allow it. However uptake can be best amplified when NHS priorities align with the promised impact of implementation. Think deeply about how the innovation will support the most pressing needs of the NHS.7. Stay with the implementation. 
Change takes time. Avoid simply moving on to the next thing. Be curious about what’s working and what’s not; and show appreciation for those doing the delivery. Above all, recognise that true transformation doesn’t end with the conclusion of a pilot; stay with the implementation until it is genuinely embedded as the default “business as usual” workflow.MUSIC & FX CREDITSV/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com"Nowehere Land" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/“Pixel Island” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org“Pixel Party” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org“Inky and Blinky’s Band” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org"Blippy Trance" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imunohttps://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

More than a decade of innovating in the NHS has shown the Health Innovation Network what it takes to implement new ideas successfully. Their “Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation” is a guide for health tech suppliers and NHS partners alike. So, what are the essential ingredients, how do they work, and what happens when we put them to the test? Recorded over two days live at HETT Show 2025 and featuring a giant cast of innovation veterans, tech suppliers, opinion leaders and conference goers, these two unique special edition podcasts offer compelling insights for both innovators scaling products and intrapreneurial health care professionals, in an essential and comprehensive guide to successful health tech innovation. LINKSFollow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-techRegister to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6rExplainer video “Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation” …https://thehealthinnovationnetwork.co.uk/health-innovation-network-explainer/Seven Conditions for Successful Innovation …1. Think pathway not product. The implementation of innovation is almost always about complicated technologies being adopted within complex environments. This means that it is not helpful to only focus on adding a single “point solution” into an existing way of working. Instead take time to understand the whole pathway being affected by the solution, making sure that you explore the reality for the staff, the users and the organisations involved in delivering that service. Consider the cultural implications of change just as much as the technical requirements.2. Develop an informed game plan. Work through the implementation end-to-end by drawing together trusted experts with practical experience to build a collective understanding of the change process – and importantly help you to identify and address any blind spots. The use of a framework can help this thinking to be systematic and simulation or scenario exercises can be particularly helpful.3. Build coalitions not concerns. 
Evidence collation is an opportunity to build a coalition for implementation. Consider who needs to be convinced, what evidence they are looking for, and how that evidence speaks to the genuine problems that they are actually facing. Disruptive innovation is alienating for those being disrupted, so work with early adopters to develop practical ‘how to’ examples; use trusted opinion leaders to amplify communication; and engage with royal colleges, patient groups, clinical bodies and other key stakeholders as early as possible.4. Ensure there is demand not just supply. 
Think how to create system ‘pull’. Work first where there is already natural demand for change; and consider the range of incentives that will help your project to stand out against the competing demands of other system requirements, or – even better – support the delivery of those other priorities. Where possible find ways to share the accountability for implementation with system leaders, and delivery organisations.5. Link policy to problem-solving. 
Anticipate and reduce barriers to implementation; and work closely with early adopters, commissioners and policy makers to solve problems together. Initial policy can be turned into early practice, but early practice must then refine policy. For example, this might include payments and funding rules, regulatory permissions, or planning guidance inclusion. Keep iterating so that impact influences policy which then influences impact and so on.6. Amplify the signal against the noise. 
Radical change and innovation can happen quickly, but is rarely the norm. We shouldn’t expect widespread uptake at speed where conditions don’t require, support, or allow it. However uptake can be best amplified when NHS priorities align with the promised impact of implementation. Think deeply about how the innovation will support the most pressing needs of the NHS.7. Stay with the implementation. 
Change takes time. Avoid simply moving on to the next thing. Be curious about what’s working and what’s not; and show appreciation for those doing the delivery. Above all, recognise that true transformation doesn’t end with the conclusion of a pilot; stay with the implementation until it is genuinely embedded as the default “business as usual” workflow.MUSIC & FX CREDITSV/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com"Nowehere Land" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/“Pixel Island” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org“Pixel Party” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org“Inky and Blinky’s Band” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org"Blippy Trance" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imunohttps://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50