Life Sciences Minister George Freeman opened the new home to the Health eResearch Centre (HeRC; www.herc.ac.uk) of the Farr Institute at the University of Manchester this week, creating a North of England hub for some of the world’s best digital and health research.
From citizen science experiments such as www.cloudywithachanceofpain.com (arthritis and weather) to NHS-linked projects such as www.clintouch.com (mental health symptoms and medication), HeRC is helping to connect citizens, patients and care-services for better prevention and care through technology.
Academic, healthcare and business leaders welcomed the minister to see how Manchester is leading the way in the digital health revolution.
During his visit, George Freeman also endorsed Greater Manchester Academic Health Science Network’s DataWell project (www.gmahsn.org/en/datawell) at CityLabs. The project is linking data across different health care organisations to provide an innovative solution to improving both direct clinical care and how patients access information about their healthcare. He also saw how the Manchester Science Partnership is building a new concentration of businesses at the junction of NHS and University sites to incubate growth in the digital health sector.
Life Sciences Minister George Freeman MP said: “It is fantastic to see Manchester playing a central role in developing new 21st century innovations, supported by our annual investment of £1bn through the National Institute for Health Research. By shifting the digital power to patients we are allowing them to monitor their own health through things like wearable devices and apps.
“The Academic Health Science Network is helping to drive forward the Northern Powerhouse in Manchester which is supporting the local needs of the health and social care services.”
Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean of Medical and Human Science Faculty at The University of Manchester said: “Vast amounts of data are collected every day by health care organisations across Greater Manchester. Used together and responsibly, this is a mine of information which can improve public services, develop new treatments and save time and money.
“Greater Manchester is a leader in this emerging field, so we were very happy that the minister is speaking to us and learn how what we are doing here can be applied further afield.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For information contact Stephen Melia, Communication Lead, Health eResearch Centre, Tel: 0161 306 7876 / 07557 310 213
The Health eResearch Centre
The Health eResearch Centre (HeRC) is delivering large scale, population wide health research by harnessing the power of information and technology.
Led by The University of Manchester and bringing together research excellence across the North of England (in partnership with the universities of Lancaster, Liverpool and York) the Health eResearch Centre is increasing the pace of progress in the UK’s health sector by turning under-used health information into new knowledge.
For more information please visit our website www.herc.ac.uk #datasaveslives
Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP)
MSP is a Manchester based public-private partnership and the UK’s largest science park operator.
We provide the right environments for innovation to flourish – supporting the growth of companies in the biomedical, ICT, industrial technologies, and digital/creative sectors, ranging in size from start-ups to EU HQs an international centres of R&D excellence.
Our network of connections between innovators, thinkers, investors and entrepreneurs brings businesses and people together to transform ideas into commercial reality.
MSP’s shareholders are Bruntwood Ltd, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester, Cheshire East and Salford City Councils.