19 Mar 2024
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22 Jul 2024
Health Innovation Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University Announce Pioneering Partnership
Health Innovation Manchester (HInM) and Manchester Metropolitan University have officially launched a strategic partnership, celebrating a new era of collaborative research and innovation aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester’s citizens. The partnership, set to run from January 2024 to December 2025, underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to harness their combined expertise and resources for the benefit of the local community and beyond.
This collaboration aligns with Greater Manchester’s strategic focus on health innovation, a sector identified as crucial for addressing local health needs and advancing global medical research. With the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board managing a £6 billion health and care budget, the region is uniquely positioned to support rapid innovation and integrated health solutions.
Health Innovation Manchester, established in 2017, has been at the forefront of driving research and facilitating the adoption of innovative health solutions across Greater Manchester. The organisation leverages partnerships with local universities, NHS trusts, and industry to streamline the innovation process, ensuring that cutting-edge research translates into real-world health benefits.
Manchester Metropolitan University is renowned for its multidisciplinary research and strong ties to clinical practice. With a thriving academic community and robust connections to healthcare providers, the University is dedicated to conducting impactful research that addresses pressing public health issues. The university’s recent establishment of the Institute of Sport exemplifies its commitment to advancing health and wellbeing through sport and exercise science.
The partnership will focus on two main strategic objectives:
1. Advancing Research in Sport and Health: Leveraging the capabilities of the Manchester Metropolitan Institute of Sport to explore how physical activity can improve population health outcomes.
2. Enhancing Mental Health Outcomes: Focusing on research to improve mental health services, particularly for children, young people, and individuals with autism and learning disabilities.
These objectives will be supported by Greater Manchester’s extensive digital and data assets, including the GM Care Record and the Secure Data Environment (SDE). These platforms provide crucial infrastructure for health data research, facilitating projects that can lead to significant health improvements for the local population.
The collaboration will be overseen by key leaders from both HInM and the University. Laura Rooney, Director of Strategy at HInM, and Professor Deborah James, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Health and Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan, will act as Senior Responsible Officers for the agreement. Regular steering group meetings will ensure ongoing alignment and progress towards the partnership’s goals.
Speaking on the partnership, Laura said: “We are pleased to have established this strategic partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to drive forward research and innovation that will significantly improve health outcomes for the people of Greater Manchester. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to making a real impact in addressing some of our biggest challenges, harnessing the research strengths of the University and HInM’s ability to deliver innovation at pace and scale.”
Deborah said: “Health data is a national asset because of the potential to link data across health services through the NHS number. Understanding healthcare demand and delivery through interactions in real-world health and care services helps create a holistic picture of the health and care system. This helps see how and where ill health could be prevented. We will make our contribution to the global health crises by focusing on prevention of ill health (including mental health) through our excellent research in movement science and with children and young people.
“We are pleased to have established a strategic partnership with Health Innovation Manchester and look forward to working together to address some of the key health challenges in the region, nationally and globally.”
By fostering close collaboration and utilising Greater Manchester’s robust health data infrastructure, HInM and Manchester Metropolitan aim to set a new standard for health innovation and research.
To celebrate the partnership, a series of events took place which featured workshops to further develop the strategic priorities and outline a two-year programme of work. The events highlighted the commitment of both institutions to driving forward health innovation and research, setting the stage for a collaborative effort that promises to make significant contributions to public health.
The partnership between Health Innovation Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University represents a significant step forward in the quest to improve health outcomes for Greater Manchester’s residents. Through innovative research and strategic collaboration, this partnership promises to make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the community, setting a benchmark for future initiatives in the region and beyond.