Contracts for Innovation: Inspired by Nature Health and Care Spaces

Welsh Government have a vision to revolutionise healthcare in Wales by creating a comprehensive, safe, secure holistic health experience that seamlessly integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) with human expertise and cutting-edge technology.

The challenge is to design a space where our citizens can remotely access services. A creative healthcare space which is flexible, is moveable, that can provide the same high-quality healthcare services regardless of location, making healthcare accessible for all.

This challenge seeks to support the design and demonstration of innovative health spaces, inspired by nature and designed with individual needs in mind. To support this, the project will run in two phases and applicants must be successful in Phase 1 to be able to apply for Phase 2 funding.

Phase 1 Feasibility – Supporting feasibility projects to design nature inspired health and care spaces which are adaptable to market ready and emerging healthcare technology, with a core focus on accessibility and equitable access to care.

Phase 1 funding is available to support up to 5 projects, with a budget of up to £50,000 (inc. VAT) per project. This project will be run under the Contracts for Innovation framework.

Applications should focus on Phase 1 delivery at this stage as Phase 2 funding is yet to be confirmed. Phase 2 funding will be subject to availability and dependent upon the outcomes of Phase 1 Feasibility.

Phase 1: Prototype development must include:

• Working with our citizens within Wales to co-create a prototype pod/unit that is user friendly, safe, secure, affordable and accessible for all.
• Improved Accessibility, bringing healthcare services to convenient locations, reaching more people and improving health & care outcomes.
• Products used must be sustainable, recyclable and green, with a focus on inspiration from nature.
• Other considerations must include: Soundproofing, self-cleaning, comfortable, friendly, safety and security.

Further requirements for the space include wheelchair access, tactile signage, space for carers/companions/family members, audio announcements, hearing loop integration, and all information being made available in both English and Welsh.

Successful project applicants must be able to attend the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham from 2nd – 9th August, in order to present and share their designs / scale models / prototypes and capture potential end-user feedback. 

Phase 2: Demonstrator will need to include:

• Partnering with Welsh businesses / suppliers to build a working prototype that can be tested with market ready digital solutions that comply to NHS Wales architecture, standards and Cyber security.
• High-definition video conferencing technology for face-to-face consultations with qualified doctors. Some of these systems are already in use within NHS Wales.
• People can expect the demonstrator to support health and care checks guided by clinicians / practitioners, including vital signs measurements.
• Be able to securely send and receive real time data.
• Addressing inequities and utilising best practice to support people who are less likely to engage with services.
• Welsh Language must be included, with the added consideration for the diverse landscape and languages of those living within Wales.

Your application must:

• Demonstrate a clear plan for commercialisation and a route to market for affordable, developed solutions;
• Deliver against the aims set out in A Healthier Wales Plan;
• Consider, and address where necessary, equality, diversity and inclusion aspects across your project, your sector(s) and society;
• Address how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed;  and
• Ensure personal safety is paramount and any risks clearly articulated with robust mitigation in place.

Please note any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition could be subject of a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the long-term purchase of any solution, although we may choose to extend this project by investigating and exploring innovative procurement routes as part of this challenge.

Briefing Event

There is a briefing event for potential applicants to find out more information on 16 May 2025, 12:30 – 13:30 BST.

Who can apply?

Any organisation can submit an application, although it is expected that opportunities like this will be particularly attractive for SMEs.

Supporting information

FAQs and further documents are available at the challenge page linked below. Questions regarding this challenge can be emailed to: SBRI.COE@wales.nhs.uk .