Huddersfield is to become a dynamic centre for health care innovation.
As work continues apace on the new £250 million National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield town centre, a support network to build a new whole new industry is being constructed too.
A health innovation network has launched, as part of the new Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership, that will provide organisations with access to mentoring, grants and exclusive industry-related events designed to drive innovation.
The Huddersfield Health Innovation Network will create a dynamic ecosystem of NHS, private, public and third sector organisations that will work together to increase health innovation.
It forms part of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership, a collaboration between the University of Huddersfield, 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), Kirklees Council’s Business Kirklees, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and other local and regional health and wellbeing partners, including Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Third Sector Leaders.
The network is being delivered by the University of Huddersfield and is part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The West Yorkshire Combined Authority leads implementation of the fund.
The network offers health and wellbeing related events, workshops and networking opportunities; 1:1 mentoring with industry experts; and the opportunity for workspace and cutting edge lab and office facilities at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre, the second building to be built on the National Health Innovation Campus and due for completion in September 2025.
Professor Tim Thornton, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Huddersfield, said: “Building this ecosystem is just the first step in bringing together the private, public and third sectors to help drive innovation across the region.
“This is the start of an exciting journey as we work together to find ways to help increase business productivity and inclusive growth, whilst simultaneously reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes across West Yorkshire.”
Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “This is an exciting time for the region as we kickstart plans to boost health innovation through this partnership and the West Yorkshire Life Sciences Investment Zone.
“Business support is at the core of this, providing essential resources for enterprises to pioneer new products, software or services that will lead to advancements in health and wellbeing, job creation and local economic growth.”
More information about the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership and the Health Innovation Network can be found here.
