At Alder Hey Innovation, we believe in modern magic. From the operating theatre to the tech lab, we are redefining what’s possible for children’s healthcare — and it’s all happening in the UK’s largest, purpose-built, hospital-led innovation hub. Rooted in a proud legacy of paediatric excellence, our mission is clear: to advance child health through real-world solutions that save lives and shape brighter futures.
Children today face increasingly complex healthcare challenges. From rising mental health needs to unequal access to care, the barriers to a healthy childhood are growing. At Alder Hey, we don’t wait for solutions — we create them. Our dedicated innovation team tackles these urgent issues head-on, transforming the way children and young people experience healthcare through technology, equity, and impact-driven design.
Our approach is built on collaboration — and driven by curiosity. With state-of-the-art facilities, clinical entrepreneurs at the forefront of care, and partnerships spanning industry, academia, and community, Alder Hey is a model for accelerating healthcare innovation. From AI-powered diagnostics to wearable sensors, virtual and augmented reality, and beyond, we are advancing the next generation of Digital and MedTech solutions from concept to bedside.
Our work is inspired every day by the children we serve. That inspiration drives a global network of partnerships with top universities, healthcare providers, and innovation leaders — delivering groundbreaking projects with tangible results. We’re not only changing individual patient experiences — we’re shaping scalable innovations that can be adopted across the NHS and beyond.
At our heart is a very modern magic.
— Associate Professor Iain Hennessey, Co-Founder of Alder Hey Innovation and Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
Alder Hey Innovation is more than a department. It’s a mindset, a movement, and a mission. We are driven by the belief that what happens in childhood lasts a lifetime, and that every child deserves a fair, healthy start. Through discovery, disruption, and dissemination, we are creating a future where world-class paediatric innovation is not only possible — it’s expected.
What happens in childhood lasts a lifetime. Not receiving a fair and healthy start in life endangers a child’s future.