Building on the success of the Bevan Commission’s 2020 Adopt and Spread programme and leveraging resources from the Planned Care Innovation Programme, the 2025 Adopt, Spread & Embed programme sets out to transform planned care innovation across Wales. In collaboration with the Welsh Government, NHS Executive, and health boards, we’re testing an evidence informed, national adoption pathway to scale best practices, delivering clinical, economic, and sustainable benefits to Wales.
Programme Aims:
The Adopt, Spread & Embed programme, led by the Bevan Commission, aims to expand the reach of successful healthcare innovations across Wales, whilst testing an evidence informed adoption pathway, tools and resources.
By supporting the adoption of proven Exemplar projects in new settings, the programme aims to enable more patients and healthcare teams to benefit from transformative solutions. Through tailored mentorship, training, and pan Wales collaboration, it aims to help overcome implementation challenges, facilitating innovations to be embedded, sustained, and scaled—ultimately enhancing the quality of care across Wales.
Hear what the Bevan Commission’s Director, Dr. Helen Howson has to say about the Adopt, Spread and Embed programme
Innovation Adoption Framework and Pathway
The innovation adoption framework and pathway has been shaped by a review of leading implementation science frameworks, international best practice, and crucially, what we’re learning from the realities of spreading and scaling innovation within the context of the Welsh health and social care system. The model draws upon a range of insights, experiences and evidence-based tools to offer a practical and adaptable approach that supports a clear, structured, and coordinated process for implementation and change management.
Read more via the link below:
18-Month Programme Timeline
Phase 1
Initiation of Support & Case for Change
Phase 2
Early Implementation & Interim Evaluation
Phase 3
Late Implementation & Final Evaluation
Selected Planned Care Projects for National Adoption
Six innovation exemplar projects have been approved by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement Planned Care for inclusion:
- Establishing a Perioperative Care of Older People Undergoing Surgery Service in Elective General Surgery – POPS (Cardiff and Vale and Swansea Bay University Health Boards)
- Dedicated Radiology Pathway Navigation: Streamlining the referral pathway and reducing waits for CT, MRI & X-ray (Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board)
- Building Capacity and Reducing Waits in Gastroenterology Planned Care (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board)
- Carpal Tunnel Surgery – Introducing the Lean, Green More Efficient Surgical Pathway (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board)
- Enhanced Community Gynaecology Service – using point of care diagnostics to deliver prudent local healthcare (Hywel Dda University Health Board)
- Welsh Fracture Liaison Service – FLS Model (Aneurin Bevan University Health Board).
Widespread economic, systems, clinical and sustainable benefits are expected.
Programme and Project Showcase
On the 2nd of September, the Commission held an online showcase to present its Adopt, Spread and Embed programme methodology and the six service innovations.
Visit the links below to view the PowerPoint slides and video presentations from the showcase.
About the Projects:
A practical, low-resource solution to improve surgical delivery across Wales
Reducing routine service pressures through an Advanced Clinical Practitioner Clinic
Streamlining and reducing delays in cancer diagnostics
Improving surgical outcomes for patients aged 65+ through frailty screening and comprehensive geriatrician assessment
Improving care by managing HRT-related bleeding and common gynae conditions in the community
Preventing secondary osteoporotic fractures through early identification, treatment, and monitoring
Welsh Health and Care Innovation Adoption Survey
As part of the Adopt, Spread and Embed programme, we are gathering insights from health and care staff across Wales about their experiences of adopting innovation.
Your feedback will help us to:
- Build a stronger understanding of the challenges and opportunities in adopting innovation
- Shape future support and guidance for staff across Wales
- Strengthen the spread of impactful approaches in health and care
- Contribute to the body of research around adoption of innovation and implementation science
