ANIA Stage Gates

There are 5 stage gates in the ANIA pathway.:

1. Horizon Scan
2. Strategic Case
3. Value Case
4. Implementation
5. Benefits Realisation.

Horizon scan

A quarterly Horizon Scan Report which summarises ANIA-ready innovations will be presented to the Innovation Design Authority (IDA).

The Horizon Scan includes innovations which are operational with research-proven impact and scalability as well as those that are likely to be ready within 1 to 2 years. 

The Horizon Scan will:

• Be completed every 3 months by a Scottish Health Technologies Group or Healthcare Improvement Scotland Health Service Researcher.
• Cover a wide range of sources, including databases and websites of relevant agencies (for example, HTA organisations and guideline producers including NICE)
• Include intelligence gathered directly from colleagues/experts (national and international), for example via Scotland Innovates, NHS Innovation Hubs and the NHS Innovation Service.

Innovations that are approved by IDA will move to Strategic Case.

Innovation ideas must be submitted through the Scotland Innovates web portal.

Scotland Innovates is connected to the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, Regional Innovation Hubs and other innovation teams such as InnoScot Health and CivTech Scotland, as well as specialist resource at Health Boards.

Strategic case

The Strategic Case will be set out within 8 to 12 weeks after IDA approval.

The IDA will be looking for a rapid assessment of available evidence, a clear statement of likely benefits and plan for delivery of the value case. 

The Strategic Case (ANIA Strategic Assessment Form) will focus on the innovation, its provenance, and evidence supporting the proposed change including:

• • clinical and cost effectiveness,
  • compliance with regulatory requirements,
  • indicative costs and affordability,
  • key stakeholder views,
  • success criteria, and
  • project governance for value case development.

Value case

The Value Case and Delivery Plan will be developed within 6 months of Strategic Case approval. It will build on the Strategic Case and provide detail on public value proposition, adoption design, affordability and delivery model.

The Value Case will include:

• An Executive Summary.
• Strategic Case and updated case for change.
• Public Value Proposition detailing anticipated impact against status quo if nationally adopted covering clinical, economic, heath inequalities, carbon emissions, service provision and workforce.
• Adoption Design using national adoption model, covering procurement, assurance, digital design and clinical pathway.
• Financial Model including evidence of support from stakeholders (e.g. Scottish Government budget holder and Board Chief Executives) and statement on affordability (e.g. IDA budget and Board view on business as usual).
• Project Initiation Document showcasing full implementation plan with delivery milestones, governance, assessment of key challenges and plans for transition to BAU.

Implementation

Approved programmes will be implemented over a 1 to 3 year period, depending on the innovation.

A project delivery board will be established to oversee the implementation. 

Any material changes to scope, programme or cost must be agreed with the IDA through the agreed change control process.

Project monitoring against milestones, costs and mitigation of risks will be reported to the IDA on a monthly basis.

Benefits realisation

Benefits realisation and post implementation review will be undertaken on each programme to evaluate whether the programme objectives were met and to identify lessons which could be applied to future programmes.