Guidance: Breakthrough to real change in local healthcare - a guide for applications to create Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs)

6 May 2009: The Department of Health is investing £10 million in the introduction of Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs) across England. HIECs will be partnerships between NHS, higher education, industry and other public and private sector organisations. They will support the spread and adoption of innovation locally and strengthen professional education and training.
This guide describes the vision for HIECs, the role of HIECs in education and training, how HIECs will support innovation and the application process. This starts a period of informal dialogue with strategic health authorities (SHAs) and prospective HIEC partners, leading to expressions of interest in early September 2009 and a final announcement on the first wave of HIECs in December 2009. SHAs are co-ordinating applications and, as part of the process, they are arranging regional stakeholder events.
Contact details for the SHA in your area are included.
Published by Department of Health, UK