Collaborative Networks: a new approach to solving NHS challenges

At the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London, we bring people together in Collaborative Networks to co-create solutions that lead to real, lasting improvements in healthcare. This approach is vital because many of the challenges facing the NHS are not simple or easily solved, and are called wicked problems, meaning they are ambiguous, multi-faceted, and deeply embedded in the structures and culture of our healthcare system.

Unlike more straightforward issues with clear causes and solutions, wicked problems:

Involve multiple stakeholders with differing and often conflicting priorities
Cut across traditional organisational and professional boundaries
Are characterised by contradictory or incomplete data
Demand both behavioural and systemic change
Can result in unintended consequences when addressed in isolation

By working collaboratively across boundaries, we help the NHS tackle these complex challenges in a way that delivers meaningful, sustainable change.

What are Collaborative Networks?

Collaborative Networks bring together diverse groups of people to tackle problems that no single individual, profession, or organisation can solve alone. By combining knowledge, insights, and expertise, these networks foster a shared understanding of challenges and co-create solutions that drive rapid progress.

Why Collaborative Networks work

They empower teams to create real change – not just small improvements but fundamental shifts in how challenges are addressed.
They thrive in complex, dynamic environments where innovation, creativity, and flexibility are essential.
They foster trust and equality among stakeholders, ensuring that solutions are collectively owned and more likely to be implemented.
They accelerate learning by enabling participants to see problems from new perspectives and develop fresh approaches.

The power of Collaborative Sprints

One of the key approaches we use at the HIN is a two-day Collaborative Sprint. This is an intensive, structured process designed to rapidly explore complex issues and generate actionable solutions.

How does a Collaborative Sprint work?

Over the course of the Sprint, participants:

Develop a deep understanding of the challenge by sharing diverse perspectives.
Define and refine the problem statement, ensuring that everyone is tackling the right issue.
Co-create innovative solutions that move beyond traditional ways of thinking.
Formulate a theory of change, outlining practical steps for implementation and testing.

By the end of the sprint, participants leave with:

A clear roadmap for action
A shared commitment to change
Concrete ideas ready for experimentation and implementation

Why is defining the problem the first step?

Before jumping to solutions, we need to spend time deeply understanding the challenge at hand. Failing to do so leads to four common pitfalls:

Solving the wrong problem: we waste resources fixing symptoms rather than root causes.
Recycling ineffective solutions: we continue using approaches that haven’t worked before.
Over-prioritising execution over definition: we rush into action without fully understanding the challenge and what needs to change.
Applying one-size-fits-all solutions: we try to implement solutions that don’t fit the unique needs of different contexts.

Let's work together to drive meaningful change

Leadership in the healthcare system is not just about decision-making, it’s about creating the right conditions for transformation. At the HIN, we act as system conveners, bringing people together to start conversations towards a shared purpose. By creating spaces where diverse perspectives can merge, we facilitate the conditions necessary for meaningful collaboration by designing environments where people feel empowered to share their knowledge and co-create solutions.

If you're working on a complex project, aiming to improve patient care, or facing a difficult challenge, connecting through Collaborative Networks offers a way to share learning and develop more effective solutions. Addressing these challenges often requires moving beyond isolated efforts and working in partnership across boundaries.

Testimonials

Lelly Oboh, Clinical and Care Professional Lead Overprescribing Pharmacist, South East London Integrated Care System

"I’ve had the privilege of working with the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London since 2019, initially through the Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) program and more recently, since 2022, on the SEL Overprescribing Program. Throughout both programs, HIN has provided invaluable support, especially in coordinating and bringing together networks of like-minded individuals and stakeholders within the same space. They have been instrumental in facilitating conversations that inspire action, generate innovative ideas, and mobilise these networks to drive tangible improvements in medicines optimisation at the system level.

From my experience, HIN is a true system convener. They work alongside health and care teams, organisations, patients, and community groups to tackle complex, often 'wicked', problems. HIN provides an optimal space for allies to engage in difficult conversations, share ideas, and leverage collective knowledge and strengths to foster transformational change."

William Swain, Workforce Transformation Pharmacist, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

"The collaboration network has been a really effective way of tackling workforce challenges in South East London as part of our 'One Pharmacy Workforce' strategy, bringing together people from different sectors to share ideas and develop practical solutions. The collaborative sprint model in particular has been really useful. It’s helped drive meaningful change in workforce development."

Annabel Healey, Prescribing Integration Project Manager, South East London ICS

"The HIN helped created our SEL Pharmacy network, it brought together people from different sectors, organisations and staff groups into one room. The team were able to create an environment where people felt it was a safe open space for sharing of thoughts where all voices were equal. Comments from people who attended the sessions were that the sessions allowed them to build connections and collaborate with colleagues is ways they have not been able to before and it provided them with the realisation that we have a shared collective vision and goal.

In the network sessions the HIN supported us to work through challenges and provided tools and techniques to allow and empower us to start work on our workforce challenges and to begin to making challenges become a reality.

I look forward to working with the HIN on the next sessions we have planned."

Ashley Parrott, Deputy Director of Quality & Assurance

"We commissioned the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London to support us with exploring four key improvement priorities to identify what the problems really were and how we can move forward to address these. This was done over a two-day sprint with over 60 staff from across the whole of Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust. The teams involved found the sessions intensive and insightful with a really well-designed programme of information and activities all centred around the aim of improvement to our priorities. At the end of the two days teams had identified the problems and clear areas for improvement. I would definitely ask the HIN to support again in the future."

Find out more

If you're interested in learning more about how Collaborative Networks or Collaborative Sprints can help your organisation, please get in touch.