E-Thesis
Developing and implementing the Health and Wellbeing Mission and Supporting Innovation Delivery Plan for Wales Innovates; the Welsh Government’s 2023 Innovation Strategy for Wales / THOMAS JAMES
Swansea University Author: THOMAS JAMES
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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.71767
Abstract
Innovation in and across healthcare is a significant challenge. The complexity of developed healthcare ecosystems, competing national priorities, funding challenges, changing social demographics, the impacts of both the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit make the innovation ambitions of Welsh Government,...
| Published: |
Swansea
2026
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Rees, D., Dennehy, D., and Thomas, R. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71767 |
| Abstract: |
Innovation in and across healthcare is a significant challenge. The complexity of developed healthcare ecosystems, competing national priorities, funding challenges, changing social demographics, the impacts of both the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit make the innovation ambitions of Welsh Government, NHS Wales, and public services challenging. Contextually, this study centres on the research aim:“In light of the challenges faced by Welsh healthcare organisations in taking a structured approach to innovation that can lead to increased healthcare value in a peri/post COVID-19 environment, how can Welsh healthcare strategy and policy create the optimal environment, infrastructure and conditions for innovation, through a portfolio wide Welsh Government strategy for innovation?”This study adopts an action research approach, reflecting on direct practitioner experience to identify key themes, frameworks and enablers that can support a more strategic and integrated approach to innovation across healthcare in Wales. A broad evidence base is developed, addressing policy gaps and addressing the need for an integrated, mission-oriented strategy. These insights inform the iterative design, development and implementation of the Health and Wellbeing mission chapter of Wales Innovates: the Welsh Government’s 2023 Innovation Strategy for Wales. A supporting Innovation Delivery Plan is co-designed, launched and delivered through a range of healthcare, academic, Government and industry practitioners across the Welsh healthcare innovation ecosystem.A mixed-methods design supports this research, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection with thematic analysis to capture diverse stakeholder perspectives and organisational experiences. A strategic framework and set of policy recommendations are developed, supporting implementation in practice through a range of technological, governance and value interventions across the Welsh healthcare ecosystem. A range of impact is realised across Government policy, national practice and a wide range of stakeholder groups.By bridging academic theory with policy and practical application, this research contributes new knowledge to the field of health policy and innovation management. It provides a model for building integrated, mission-oriented system-wide innovation strategies and presents a transferable model for integrated healthcare innovation policy, that can be applied across similarly complex public service environments. |
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| Keywords: |
Innovation, Healthcare, Policy, Practice, Government, NHS |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
Intensive Learning Academy |