New healthtech strategy sets out West Yorkshire's plan for innovation

A new Healthtech Strategy has been launched in West Yorkshire alongside the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s (WY HCP) and Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (Y&H AHSN) Innovation and Improvement Hub.

The strategy, developed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is set to improve regional population health and wealth through the development of a well-aligned, innovation driven Healthtech ecosystem.

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.

Cllr 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.”

Mayor Tracy Brabin launched the Healthtech strategy on Tuesday 4 October during an event held at The University of Huddersfield as part of West Yorkshire Innovation Festival 2022.

Tracy 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.”

One example of Healthtech already adopted locally is TytoCare, a wireless handheld device that allows clinicians to perform medical examinations anywhere, for the ear, throat, lungs, heart, temperature, skin, and abdomen.

Rob Webster, CEO Lead for WY HCP said: ‘Innovation is of critical importance to both the health and care system and the regional economy. The unique assets and opportunities that the region has at its disposal and how these will be harnessed to improve the lives of our population cannot be underestimated – working together gives us every opportunity to achieve better health and wealth’.