Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership drives health advancements

A collaboration between the University of Huddersfield and key local partners is addressing a range of health-related challenges in the local area.

Since its launch 17 months ago, the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership (HHIP) has supported over 450 businesses that are developing products and services to improve health outcomes, enhance workplace wellbeing, address health inequalities and advance medical technology. 

Formed as a collaboration between the University of Huddersfield, 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), Kirklees Council, NHS, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Third Sector Leaders, the HHIP connects academia, healthcare and industry to translate ideas and research into real-world solutions, through strategic funding, business support and knowledge exchange opportunities. 

Pictured above are: Chris Duffill (Kirklees Council), Sarah Hall (Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust), Prof Tim Thornton (University of Huddersfield), Sue Cooke (3M BIC), Richard Stubbs (Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber), Prof Liz Towns-Andrews (University of Huddersfield), Kate Parr (Kirklees Council).

Over the last few months, the HHIP has been providing strategic support for projects tackling major healthcare challenges and inequalities. Thirty-five organisations have benefitted from grants, the project has also assisted 80 entrepreneurs to become enterprise ready.  

Projects that have emerged through the HHIP include:

• Mental health support: an innovative suicide prevention platform
• Inclusive healthcare research: projects that explore the impact of yoga on adults with learning disabilities, as well as enhance further research into fertility care
• Advancing medical accessibility: research into AI-driven accessibility solutions for mobile health applications, as well as inclusive chemotherapy treatments, including scalp cooling solutions for individuals who wear head coverings
• Sustainable healthcare innovations: development of a reusable drinking aid to improve hydration for care home residents and hospital patients
• Improving workplace wellbeing: implementing strategic workforce interventions within organisations to improve employee health and wellbeing
• Enhancing community services – helping local communities improve their physical and emotional health and wellbeing, as well as the development of a digital platform that promotes diabetes awareness in ethnic minority communities.

Over 40 businesses have received bespoke mentoring from a pool of 29 mentors through the project, from marketing and business growth advice to navigating NHS procurement, supporting start-ups and emerging enterprises break into and scale up within the sector. 

Hundreds of organisations have also attended events through the project designed to educate, support and inspire. From speed debating events, round tables and workshops covering topics such as AI in healthcare, NHS procurement, regulations and metrology in healthcare and improving health and wellbeing in the workplace. 

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Huddersfield is a key part of our £160 million Investment Zone, because this partnership has paved the way for a transformational approach to healthcare in this country.

“By bringing the NHS together with our universities and businesses at the cutting-edge of health technology, our region is proving the power of collaboration to drive innovation and growth.

“I applaud the work of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership, which is successfully creating jobs, transforming the lives of patients, and contributing to a stronger, brighter region.

“This year’s West Yorkshire Innovation Festival is shining a spotlight on the incredible things happening across our great region.”

Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Huddersfield, said: “The response to the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership and the University’s National Health Innovation Campus has been phenomenal. We’ve seen overwhelming interest from businesses, healthcare providers and researchers eager to collaborate - ranging from cutting-edge medical devices to digital health and accessibility solutions. 

“We’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds for these projects and hope to continue to shape the future of healthcare in West Yorkshire and beyond.”

Richard Stubbs, CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: “Innovation is a team sport. The Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership has brought together great local organisations to address regional health challenges and to create innovations that can help to tackle these. 

“We are on the cusp of a global healthcare revolution powered by digital and AI and it’s hugely important that our patients and our citizens benefit first from these opportunities through the presence of this partnership and the National Health innovation campus.”

Dr Richard Robinson, Chief Medical Officer at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership and Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber to create a welcoming, creative space on site at Pinderfields Hospital. 

“Through the Innovation Space we aim to provide people with the time and space they need to think differently, coming up with ideas that will lead to improvement in what we do at the trust. This includes making improvements to our community’s health and reducing health inequalities.”