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Academic Health Science Networks and their influence on LETB decisions

LETBs will not be making their commissioning decisions in isolation. A major influence on the education and training commissioned by LETBs will be the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) which are in the process of being established. As Sir David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS, wrote in his invitation to groups to bid to form AHSNs, AHSNs offer an opportunity “for the NHS and universities to work with industry to not only improve the delivery of innovation but to link this with participation in research, translating research into practice, education and training, wealth creation and service improvement”. The DH published guidance for AHSNs in June 2012. Further AHSN documents can be found on our resources page.

The expectation is that there will be a total of 12-18 AHSNs across England, each responsible to the NHS Commissioning Board.

What is an AHSN?

In order to fully grasp the purpose and function of an AHSN, it might be simpler to explain what an AHSC is. Academic Health Science Centres deliver healthcare to patients and undertake health-related science and research in partnership with universities and hospitals. There are five AHSCs across England with three in London:

1. Cambridge University Health Partners
2. Manchester AHSC
3. King’s Health Partners
4. Imperial College Healthcare
5. UCL Partners.

An AHSC’s prime focus is on innovation and the discovery of new ideas for healthcare, but is less focussed on adopting and translating these innovations for widespread use in practical healthcare delivery settings. That will be a key purpose for AHSNs, which will also have a focus on community based care. AHSNs are designed to be a flexible alliance of the local NHS, universities, local government and industry to promote cross-boundary working in order to identify, adopt and spread innovation and best practice. The challenge for AHSNs is to improve the cross-sector partnership model and accelerate the time it takes from discovery to delivery– that process currently takes up to 17 years.

AHSNs will need to set out a formal governance structure showing a clear line of accountability and responsiveness to the organisations that make up the network. Keep up to date with their submissions here.

AHSNs will need to demonstrate the participation of a wide range of organisations including: NHS Commissioners, healthcare providers, higher education institutions, industry, local authorities and social enterprises.

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