Today sees the official announcement of the new government-funded HealthTech Research Centre Network targeted at the development and advancement of technological healthcare innovation across the UK.

The network of 14 newly established NIHR HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs) are based in leading NHS organisations across the country, and were awarded almost £42m to drive life-changing research into health and care technologies for the next five years.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Exeter were successful in their bid for £3m of this funding to form the HealthTech Research Centre for Sustainable Innovation based in Exeter.

Cathryn Love-Rouse, Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR HRC in Sustainable Innovation, commented “We look forward to working collaboratively across England as part of the HRC network. Our focus will be on five core themes, centred around the unique needs of the population of the South West. These include projects focused on sustainability and environment, diagnostics and biomarkers, frailty and rehabilitation, big data and artificial intelligence (AI), and capability and capacity building”.

Professor Chris Fox, Co-Director of the South West HealthTech Research Centre, commented that “It’s a huge privilege for Exeter to be leading industrial engagement. We will set the agenda for the next five years when it comes to the priorities for patients and industry through the 14 regional HRCs. The Network will bring together the extensive skills and experience of the HRCs to support the development and evaluation of technology. Improving this technology will mean better support and care for patients, as well as increased accuracy and assessment speed.”