Member Article

Northern Powerhouse life science audit confirmed

A Northern Powerhouse in Health Research (NPiHR) Science Innovation Audit (SIA) has been awarded recognising the North of England’s excellence in the field and its ability to grow the health and wealth of the region.

The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), an alliance of the North’s top universities, NHS hospital trusts and Academic Health Science Networks, led the SIA bid across the whole of the North of England.

Science and innovation audits are awarded by government to help regions to map their research and innovation strengths and identify areas of potential global competitive advantage.

The NPiHR is recognition of the Northern Powerhouse’s ability to deliver the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy in health innovation. The NPiHR consortium is structured across eight city regions that include Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, York, Newcastle and Durham.

Dr Hakim Yadi OBE, CEO of the NHSA, said: “We are delighted that the UK government has recognised the North of England’s potential in health research through the awarding of this SIA.

“The North already possesses a range of assets in industry, research and public services which when brought together, become a globally relevant hub for cutting edge health research, innovation, and improved service delivery, new markets potential and business growth.

“The SIA will help with the development of the North as an internationally recognised clinical cluster through the utilisation of our SIA which will be focused on Data for Better Health & Wealth, and the implementation of Precision Medicine (PM) within routine care. This is great news for the Northern Powerhouse and its prime capability in health innovation.”

Richard Baker Head of Policy and Strategy at the North East LEP said: “We’re delighted to be working with The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) on this audit.

“The North East has many strengths in this field with national centres of excellence in ageing and age related disease, personalised medicine formulation and emerging national centres in healthcare photonics and dementia.”

Science Minister, Jo Johnson, said: “Now in its third wave, the Science and Innovation Audits are providing valuable insight into the ground-breaking work taking place across the UK and the contributions we are making to solve challenges across the world.

“The work of the successful regions undertaking their SIA in this wave will support the development and delivery of our Industrial Strategy and allow local places to build on their strengths.

“This will ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global market and is best placed to continue leading scientific discoveries and taking them to market.”