MHDI is connecting industry, researchers and people with lived experience to build fair, data‑driven partnerships for mental health research in the UK.
The Digital Workstream aims to make it easier to design, test, adopt, and scale digital tools and technologies across the UK.
We focus on building the infrastructure, partnerships, and practical pathways that help new ideas turn into real services that improve people’s lives.
Our work is technology-neutral and supports a wide range of digital mental health solutions, from wearables to AI.
Barriers to Adoption
Even when technologies show promise, adoption across the NHS can be challenging. Services may lack digital capacity and practical implementation support. Multi-site adoption is difficult without a coordinated national pathway.
Complex Systems
Innovators face slow and inconsistent procurement processes, unclear reimbursement routes, and regulatory requirements that often duplicate effort across organisations. Generating the right evidence for adoption is particularly difficult.
Disconnected Design
Many digital tools are developed without enough input from people with lived experience, frontline clinicians, industry partners, or investors. This can lead to solutions that are difficult to use, poorly aligned with service needs, and hard to scale.
Scaling Gaps
Scaling Gaps
Grant funding often ends before real-world rollout begins, private investment can be difficult to secure, and commercial pathways are unclear. Opportunities to build international partnerships are also underused.
Digital mental health innovations often struggle to move beyond pilots. Systems are complex, approval routes are unclear, and innovators lack practical support to work with the NHS.
We aim to:
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Ensure the UK remains a global leader in digital mental health
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Support sustainable investment and long-term growth
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Make digital innovation easier to develop and implement
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Align innovation with real needs of patients, carers, clinicians, and services
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Create clear national pathways for adoption, procurement, and reimbursement
For Innovators
Our work aims to support the simplification of approval and procurement processes and provides clear guidance for entering the NHS. Innovators need better access to funding, stronger partnerships, and clearer routes to scale proven solutions.
Key Problems
Our Purpose
Our key priorities for you
For the NHS and Clinical Teams
Clinical teams receive practical, hands-on support to adopt and use new tools effectively. Services benefit from shared learning, reduced duplication, and coordinated national support for digital transformation.
For People and Communities
More high-quality digital tools reach the people who need them. Solutions are designed with users, easier to access, and better integrated into care.
The MHDI
Ecosystem
Researchers and academics
Health Innovation Networks
NHS leaders, ICBs and regional commissioners
Industry partners
Policymakers and funders
People with lived experience
NHS services
MHDI is being led by
the University of Manchester
Our partners
