A new health technology ecosystem is to be created in West Yorkshire to drive innovation and improve healthcare.
The Healthtech Strategy has been created by 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.
It hopes the strategy will lead to the early adoption of technology in healthcare and associated organisations.
“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,” explained Cllr Pandor, Chair of the Business Economy and Innovation Committee and leader of Kirklees Council.
“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 scheme is being backed by Mayor Tracy Brabin:
“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.”
It points to already successful start-ups working in the region, including TytoCare, a wireless handheld device that allows clinicians to perform medical examinations anywhere, for the ear, throat, lungs, heart, temperature, skin, and abdomen.
14 healthcare providers have already adopted the tech.
“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,” said Rob Webster, CEO Lead for WY HCP.
