Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Quality and Delivery of NHS Services Chapter 4: Innovation Section 14: Innovation prizes
192.High Quality Care for All stated the Department of Health’s intention to create prizes for innovations in areas such as the prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases.
193.Under existing provisions of the NHS Act, the Secretary of State can award grants for research. However, the power is limited to research and does not extend to awarding money retrospectively for work that has already been completed.
194.Section 14 enables the Secretary of State to make payments as prizes to promote and reward innovation in the provision of health services in England. Prizes may be awarded for work that has already been completed, including research, or for the completion of future challenges.
195.To assist in this matter, the Secretary of State may establish a committee to advise, for example, on the form and allocation of any such prizes. Subsection (3) enables the Secretary of State to pay remuneration, allowances or expenses to a member of the committee.