Learning from Innovations - Conor Joel-Welsh describes his peer review role for One NHS Finance

The ONE NHS Finance Innovation Programme is designed to share best practice throughout NHS finance teams across the country. It encourages those working on the field every day to submit innovation solutions to problems and share learning with the aim of inspiring other finance teams in the NHS to do the same.

MIAA Delivery Manager, Conor Joel-Welsh is a Peer Reviewer of the Programme. He describes his role evaluating submissions and deciding whether they meet the criteria required to be regarded as an innovation.

To be considered an innovation, a team or individual must ‘execute an idea which addresses a specific challenge and delivers better value to an organisation’.

Conor explained: “To form my opinion, I undertake a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis which aids my decision on whether the submission has successfully addressed the problem at hand or whether the positives are outweighed by the gaps identified. If two other reviewers come to the same conclusion as myself, the submission will be recommended as an innovation and added to the Innovation Library.”

Conor shares some of the questions that he considers as part of his decision-making process -

• Strengths – What are the advantages of the innovation, is there an advantage over alternative options and what are the unique features?
• Weaknesses – Are there weaknesses to be improved on, issues to be noted or factors that make the innovation unachievable?
• Opportunities – What are the opportunities and are there any trends to be taken advantage of?
• Threats – Are there potential competitors, risks or shifts in behaviour which may affect the success of the innovation?

The Innovation Library is an important resource that includes all previously approved submissions from across the country in different technical areas, such as financial systems or internal audit. The library operates as a shared learning hub and ideas can be taken away to your own organisation and utilised where appropriate. 

He concluded: “As a Peer Reviewer, I also have access to all submitted innovations prior to their approval or rejection and can identify ideas at an earlier stage and potentially implement them more efficiently. The process has allowed me to develop my strategic thinking and critical analysis whilst broadening my knowledge on innovative processes that are occurring regularly at other organisations.”

Introducing innovative processes within the finance function allows finance teams to be more efficient and provide a better service to the rest of the organisation.

Submitting your innovation to the programme could help to inspire and support other finance teams in the NHS, as well as provide you with opportunities for personal and professional growth. It can also help you to receive valuable peer-review feedback, refine and improve your innovation.