NHS England/Improvement and the Office for Life Sciences commissioned research to explore and evaluate the views of AHSN stakeholders. Savanta ComRes conducted this independent evaluation. With input from AHSNs and commissioners, they developed and ran an online survey and telephone interviews. Those taking part were stakeholders in health and social care, private and voluntary sectors, national and local governance bodies, research and academia, patient groups and the general public. Topics covered included familiarity with and perceptions of AHSNs, evaluations of AHSNs’ communications, services, support, work programmes and cross-regional working, and perceived opportunities and challenges for AHSNs in the future.
A key strength of Eastern AHSN highlighted in the report is the way we build relationships with our stakeholders. Like many other AHSNs, stakeholders are complimentary of our communication approach, the connections we are able to provide with the NHS and industry and the way we work collaboratively with different partners.