Northern universities and NHS trusts collaborate on health innovation
8 reported
A single-source report from The Guardian describes how universities in northern England are partnering with NHS trusts and local councils to drive medical research and economic growth. The University of Huddersfield’s national health innovation campus, led by Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, expects approval next month for the third of seven planned eco-buildings. In March, an £11m centre named after Emily Siddon opened, featuring the UK’s first MRI scanner simulator. The campus has supported 380 companies since September 2023. Meanwhile, Convatec will open a research and development centre in Manchester next year, citing collaborations with universities and NHS trusts. The report notes that a University of East London study found nearly 40 of 160 universities near bankruptcy, while Huddersfield had an operating surplus of about £10m in 2024-25. Prof Tony Young of NHS England says US health companies are backing UK research partly due to Donald Trump’s business attitude and Rachel Reeves’ industrial policy.
What’s reported
The University of Huddersfield’s health innovation campus expects approval next month for the third of seven planned eco-buildings.
In March, the £11m Emily Siddon centre opened, containing the UK’s first MRI scanner simulator.
The campus has supported 380 companies since September 2023.
Convatec will open an R&D centre in Manchester next year, citing collaborations with Manchester’s universities and NHS trusts.
A University of East London study of 160 universities found nearly 40 near bankruptcy with two months of cash.
Huddersfield had an operating surplus of about £10m in the 2024-25 financial year.
The campus includes Britain’s first community diagnostic centre on a university campus, in partnership with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
Prof Tony Young stated that Donald Trump’s business attitude and Rachel Reeves’ funding of biotech have encouraged US health companies to back UK research.
Key figures
Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, driving force behind University of Huddersfield’s health innovation campus
Zubir Ahmed, then health innovation minister who opened the Emily Siddon centre
Prof Tony Young, national clinical director for innovation in NHS England
Richard Paxman, chief executive of Paxman Scalp Cooling
Carson McCombe, head of innovation at University of Huddersfield
Malcolm Press, president of Universities UK and vice chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University
Prof Kathy Curtis, provost of Kingston University
Sources: The Guardian
