New West Yorkshire Healthtech Strategy launched at the University
The strategy was officially launched at the University by Mayor Tracy Brabin during a prestigious event that featured a question and answer panel session focussing on why innovation is of critical importance both to health and patient care, and the regional economy
A NEW Healthtech Strategy for West Yorkshire was announced at a prestigious event held at the University of Huddersfield.
The strategy has been launched alongside the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s (WY HCP) Innovation and Improvement Hub, in a bid to transform health and care services within the region through the early adoption of technology in healthcare and associated organisations.
The strategy, developed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), is set to improve regional population health and wealth through the development of a well-aligned, innovation driven Healthtech ecosystem.
“The joint launch was a great success and shone a spotlight on many of the outstanding assets in our region towards health and care innovation. It was fantastic to hear the latest on the National Health Innovation Campus development, as well as the perspectives from the University of Huddersfield’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan and our stellar panel members who provided great insights into the priorities and opportunities within Healthtech.”
Dr Steph Oliver-Beech, Healthtech Regional Lead, WYCA.
Those behind the strategy hope to attract more regional partners to support shared Healthtech programmes, events, promotion, and the development of partnerships with other regions. The strategy also prioritises mapping out routes for support and navigation through the Healthtech landscape.
Mayor Tracy Brabin launched the Healthtech strategy in October during an event held at the University as part of West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2022.
Having endorsed the strategy herself, she explained how together, the contributing organisations are aiming to help organisations capitalise on the exceptional regional Healthtech strengths to drive both future economic prosperity and improve health outcomes.
Tracy Brabin said: “Our region is well known for being innovative. We are a magnet for high tech skills and jobs; through this strategy, we are set to transform lives for the better.
“By working together, pursuing innovation that recognises and builds upon diversity, we have the potential to tackle health inequalities that blight the lives and opportunities of many in our region – and far beyond it.”
Councillor Pandor, Chair of the Business Economy and Innovation Committee and leader of Kirklees Council, said: “This strategy outlines how the whole ecosystem will align our strategic and collaborative approaches. This will begin to reduce fragmentation and bring together the region’s universities, health, and care system, LEP, Combined Authority and Healthtech industry to develop an integrated Healthtech innovation system in West Yorkshire.
“It positions the region as a locus of Healthtech expertise that will deliver both high quality patient outcomes, alongside economic and productivity gains. The strategy sets out high-level ambitions and will be underpinned by a detailed accompanying ‘live’ and dynamic action plan owned by the Healthtech Cluster.”
The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) is a large integrated care system (ICS) that supports 2.4 million people, living in urban and rural areas. 770,000 are children and young people. 530,000 people live in areas ranked in the most deprived 10% of England. 20% of people are from minority ethnic communities. There are an estimated 400,000 unpaid carers, as many don’t access support.
The Partnership is made up of the NHS, councils, community care providers, hospices, the voluntary social enterprise community sector, Healthwatch and communities. Together they employ over 100,000 staff and work alongside thousands of volunteers.
Dr Steph Oliver-Beech, Healthtech Regional Lead, WYCA, said: “The joint launch was a great success and shone a spotlight on many of the outstanding assets in our region towards health and care innovation.
“It was fantastic to hear the latest on the National Health Innovation Campus development, as well as the perspectives from the University of Huddersfield’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan and our stellar panel members who provided great insights into the priorities and opportunities within Healthtech.”