CFPs: Reducing Missed Appointments Through Planned Care Innovation (UK)

Contracts for Innovation Cymru is a UK public-sector innovation competition run through Innovate UK Business Connect, seeking innovative solutions to reduce missed appointments and improve access to planned care. The challenge is open to organisations across multiple UK nations and supports Phase 1 discovery and feasibility work, with projects expected to be usually 100% funded. The competition opens on 22 September 2026 and closes on 20 October 2026 at 12:00pm (time zone not specified in the source). CTM University Health Board is seeking innovative solutions to help reduce missed appointments and improve access to planned care. The challenge focuses on understanding and addressing barriers that lead to non-attendance, with the aim of supporting fairer access to services, improving patient experience, and making better use of NHS resources. The competition welcomes ambitious, creative, and collaborative approaches developed with future scalability, adaptability, affordability, and long-term sustainability in mind. Solutions should be suitable for potential adoption across multiple organisations and care settings where appropriate. The challenge is deliberately open and does not prescribe a particular technology, product, or service. Applicants are encouraged to propose approaches that address one or more aspects of the challenge, including (but not limited to): The source also encourages applicants to consider how different barriers interact and how solutions may support a diverse population with differing needs and circumstances. The opportunity is motivated by persistent missed outpatient appointments and the downstream impacts on patients and services. The source states that Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) has experienced persistently high missed appointment rates, with approximately 64,000 appointments missed over the last 12 months. It also notes that missed appointments may account for approximately £9.6 million of avoidable lost value each year, contributing to longer waiting times, underutilised clinical capacity, financial inefficiencies, and poorer patient experience. The challenge therefore targets practical, behavioural, communication, and accessibility barriers—such as appointment communication, transport, geography, caring responsibilities, socioeconomic factors, digital exclusion, health inequalities, and service design. Note: The supplied article text does not include the direct application link or a list of required documents. Applicants should follow the “Find out more and apply” instructions on the official Contracts for Innovation Cymru page. What is this competition for? It is for innovative approaches to reduce missed appointments and improve access to planned care, addressing barriers that lead to non-attendance. Who can apply? Any organisation can submit an application, with the source noting that opportunities are expected to be particularly attractive for SMEs. Where are applicants based? The opportunity lists eligible locations across multiple UK regions, including East Midlands, East of England, London and the South East, North East (England), North West (England), Northern Ireland, Scotland, South West (England), Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and The Humber. How much funding is available? Up to £200,000 is available to support a portfolio of projects, dependent on the number and quality of submissions. Projects will usually be 100% funded. What is the competition deadline? The competition closes on 20 October 2026 at 12:00pm. The time zone is not specified in the source. What activities are supported in Phase 1? Phase 1 (Discovery and Feasibility) may include discovery and research, user engagement and co-design, feasibility assessment, prototype development, early testing, data analysis, service design, and technical validation. Will there be a Phase 2? Possibly. Selected projects from Phase 1 may be invited to a subsequent Phase 2 competition for further development, real-world testing, and evaluation, subject to future funding availability and other factors. If you are an eligible organisation and your idea addresses barriers to missed appointments and improved access to planned care, review the official Contracts for Innovation Cymru guidance on the Innovate UK Business Connect website and follow the stated application process before the 20 October 2026 deadline. For clarification, use the competition email [contact details removed].