Wessex and Wales join forces to improve health outcomes through innovation.

Health Innovation Wessex and Life Sciences Hub Wales have signed a new partnership agreement to accelerate healthcare innovation across England and Wales to help improve patient outcomes, support NHS services, and contribute to economic growth.

The agreement sets out a shared commitment to working together to develop new approaches and opportunities that help spread and scale healthcare innovation through:

• Sharing of knowledge, expertise and strategic capabilities.

• Driving innovation, research and best practice in cancer and genomics.

• Developing opportunities to boost economic growth and investment.

• Supporting innovators to spread and scale proven solutions across England and Wales. 

Innovation has the potential to improve lives, support NHS services and contribute to economic growth. National estimates suggest healthcare innovation could add £278 billion to the UK economy while helping people live healthier lives¹. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to turning innovative ideas into real-world impact for people and communities across England and Wales. Cancer and genomics have been identified as early areas of focus, reflecting the strengths and expertise within both regions, alongside national NHS priorities. 

With many healthcare challenges shared across England and Wales, collaboration offers an opportunity to deliver greater impact. By combining complementary research, clinical, data and innovation expertise, Health Innovation Wessex and Life Sciences Hub Wales will work together to identify challenges, test solutions across health systems and accelerate the adoption of innovations that can benefit patients and healthcare services. The joint working of Health Innovation Wessex and Life Sciences Hub Wales will build on an established pattern of cross-border healthcare and combine complementary research, clinical, data, and innovation capabilities. By jointly identifying challenges, testing solutions across health systems, and accelerating adoption, the partnership could improve patient outcomes and experience, increase NHS productivity, reduce duplication in research and innovation.

The partnership also aims to strengthen connections between two thriving health and life sciences ecosystems, creating opportunities for investment, collaboration and economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of Health Innovation Wessex, Chief Executive Nicola Bent said:

“Health Innovation Wessex is delighted to sign this memorandum of understanding with Life Sciences Hub Wales. This formally recognises the growing partnership and collaboration between our two organisations, and represents our shared belief in the power of innovation and collective working to transform healthcare outcomes. I believe that this relationship, and our joint expertise in cancer and genomics, will enable us to make a real impact on patients, both locally and across countries.”

Cari-Anne Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, Life Sciences Hub Wales, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Health Innovation Wessex as we strengthen collaboration across Wales and England. Partnership working is essential to delivering innovation at scale. By bringing together expertise, insight and shared ambition, we can help accelerate the adoption of innovation and create significant benefits for people, health services and the economy.” 

This partnership is another example of Health Innovation Wessex’s commitment to bringing people and organisations together to turn innovative ideas into real-world impact for patients, communities and the wider economy.

Interested in working with us? Contact enquiries@hiwessex.net to connect. 

^1. https://thehealthinnovationnetwork.co.uk/news/healthcare-innovations-could-boost-uk-economy-by-278-billion/