Six leading NHS innovation organisations have formed a new business partnership to share resources and expertise, fast-tracking successful healthcare innovations across the NHS and international markets.

The new Healthcare Innovation Alliance (HIA), launched at the NHS Confederation conference, is dedicated to commercialising ideas developed within the NHS that can improve patient care and reduce costs.

The HIA team will deliver national innovation projects and provide expert advice to NHS organisations. Its six members are the NHS Innovations organisations for East, North, South, South East, South West, Yorkshire & Humber and London.

These individual organisations have examined thousands of ideas created by NHS staff, set up more than 300 deals to license NHS innovations, and helped to create 10 new healthcare businesses. Innovations they have developed include several new technologies for diagnosing and treating cancers, improved means of diagnosing stroke risk and a new social enterprise partnership to supply high-quality products for disability.

Working with universities, healthcare professionals and companies, the HIA will guide NHS staff in trialling and using healthcare innovations, reducing the waste of resources on weak or duplicate projects.

Dick Clark, Chair of the HIA, said: "The importance of innovation in the NHS has never been higher on the agenda than it is now. With the drive to make cost savings and at the same time preserve and improve the quality of care, innovation has a leading role to play. The formation of the HIA is both a timely and positive move; with the wealth of shared expertise and resources we will be able not only to promote the importance of innovation but also facilitate rapid implementation of successful ideas."