How is the AHSN Network supporting the response to COVID-19?

All AHSNs within the AHSN Network are actively supporting the NHS and social care system regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you would like advice on immediate or future needs, and how best to present your offer to local and/ or national commissioners, please contact the commercial team at your local AHSN via the AHSN Network Innovation Exchange or register on-line. Use the postcode checker to help you find your local AHSN.

The government has provided national guidance on where to register products to support the COVID-19 response. Please find these details below.

PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)

Contact the Surgical MedTech Co-operative (one of NIHR’s Medtech and In vitro diagnostics Co-operatives) if you have a technology that could be adapted quickly for the healthcare setting to help protect healthcare workers against aerosol contamination. Find out more about their ‘COVID-19 PPE Challenge’ here.

Vaccines

Contact Public Health England: [email protected]

Ventilators

Contact the Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS): [email protected] or call 0300 456 3565

Innovation and Tech

Contact NHSX: [email protected]

Diagnostics

Contact Public Health England: [email protected]

General

The UK government has set up a service allowing businesses to share any support that might help the COVID-19 response, from PPE and medical testing equipment to transport/logistics and warehouse space. Find out more here.

If you have any other solutions (not specifically COVID-19 related) that could be useful to the health and care system during this unprecedented time, you can access AHSN advice and support by visiting www.ahsninnovationexchange.co.uk.

Regional AHSN support

During this current period of extreme operational pressure, the AHSNs will be supporting our colleagues on the frontline and in planning and operations by offering the most appropriate assistance as and when required. This will include supporting the implementation of technology to maximise the use of remote consultations and online guidance, freeing up valuable clinician time and reducing the risk of transmission.

We are working closely with our regional NHS teams to coordinate this support, but if you would like to speak to your local AHSN team, email us at [email protected]

If you have any other query or request for support, get in touch with us at [email protected]