Meet the innovator: Joachim Werr

HN (Health Navigator) is an AI-powered health innovation that enables preventative care through predictive analytics. Founded in Sweden by Dr Joachim Werr, a former A&E consultant, HN is now supporting healthcare systems across the UK to identify high-risk patients before they reach crisis point. Joachim shares the journey behind HN and the transformative impact of HN Predict.

Tell us about the innovation. What does it do, how does it help, who does it help and why is it important?

At the heart of HN is HN Predict, a software tool that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse routinely collected health data and identify patients at high risk of hospital admission. What’s particularly impressive is that it can predict 8 out of 10 unplanned care events up to a year in advance, and does so safely and equitably.

This early insight allows healthcare providers to step in earlier, offering targeted, preventative support. It’s a more personalised approach to care that improves outcomes and enhances quality of life. At the same time, HN Predict helps healthcare systems make better use of limited resources by focusing support where it’s needed most.

The innovation benefits three key groups:
– Patients, particularly those living with multiple long-term conditions, who are supported to better manage their health and avoid crises
– Clinicians, who receive practical insights to help shape care plans
– Healthcare systems, who see fewer unplanned admissions and improved resource allocation

This is an important shift in how care is delivered, moving from reacting to health crises to preventing them before they arise.

Which Health Innovation Networks have you been supported by?

I was proud to be part of the NHS Innovation Accelerator and have received fantastic support from a number of Health Innovation Networks (HINs). We’ve worked closely with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, UCLPartners, and Health Innovation South London, among others. Their guidance has been instrumental in helping us evaluate, refine and spread HN Predict within the NHS.

What are the plans or next steps for this innovation?

HN Predict has already shown strong results, and we’re now focused on scaling its use across more Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in the UK and further afield.

We’re particularly excited about our recent work with North East London (NEL) and UCLPartners, which is helping us understand how the technology performs across different local populations.

We’re also continuously enhancing HN Predict so it can provide even more valuable and actionable insights to clinicians. Our randomised control trial with Stafford and Surrounds CCG showed a 35% reduction in A&E attendances, which has given us a strong evidence base to build on.

In the longer term, we’re exploring how AI could support the automation of entire clinical pathways, which is a challenging but promising next step.

What’s your biggest learning from innovating in the NHS?

There’s no universal blueprint for innovation in the NHS. Every ICS and trust works differently, so it’s essential to tailor your approach and stay adaptable.

Another key learning is the importance of combining technology with human expertise. Our AI-Guided Clinical Coaching (AICC) programme is a good example of this. It helps clinicians take meaningful action based on what the data tells us.

Most of all, you need strong evidence. Our RCT results, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal in October 2023, showed a reduction in mortality in specific patient groups. This kind of rigorous evaluation has been crucial in gaining the trust of NHS colleagues.

What are your hopes for the future?

I’m really optimistic about the future of healthcare and the part HN can play in shaping it. Our long-term vision is a system that finds patients before they seek care, and we’re getting closer to that every day.

We’re now working with partners to explore how automation can support entire care pathways, which could unlock huge improvements in efficiency and outcomes.

I also believe that our technology will play a central role in supporting the NHS’s ambitions around preventative, personalised, and digitally enabled care. As our AI becomes more sophisticated, we’ll be able to deliver even more targeted interventions, aligned with population health goals.

We’ve already started expanding outside the UK, with projects in Ireland and other countries. Eventually, we hope to see HN Predict embedded in healthcare systems across the world.

What’s the best part of your job?

It’s incredibly rewarding to see the real-world impact of our work. Knowing that our technology is helping patients live healthier, more stable lives is what motivates me.

I also enjoy blending my clinical experience with a passion for innovation. At HN, I get to work with brilliant people and use technology to improve care delivery in a meaningful way.

Above all, it’s the collaboration that makes this work special. We don’t build in isolation. We work side-by-side with clinicians, system leaders, and patients to make sure our solutions address real needs and deliver real results.

What are your three pieces of advice for budding health innovators?

1. Start with a clearly defined problem and validate it. HN was born from my experience in A&E, where I saw the same patients repeatedly in crisis. That insight became our mission. Make sure the problem you’re tackling is real and matters to the people delivering and receiving care.
2. Work in partnership. Our success has come from close collaboration with clinicians and health systems. Listen, adapt, and co-create wherever possible.
3. Prove your impact. The NHS rightly demands strong evidence before adopting new approaches. Invest in proper evaluation. It builds trust, drives adoption, and sets you apart.