The UK Minister for Health and Secondary Care visited the University of Leeds to see how the city region is developing innovative healthcare technologies.
Will Quince MP visited Nexus, the University’s state-of-the-art innovation hub, to meet with member businesses and learn more about the region’s strengths in health innovation.
The companies that he visited included: Dedalus, an international industrial group in healthcare software, Videregen, a clinical-stage leader in the restoration of tissue function, with an initial focus on airway diseases, and Atlas Endoscopy, a clinical-stage start-up and University of Leeds spin-out company that is creating the most advanced robotic colonoscopy system.
The Minister also met with Vee Mapunde, programme director of the National Institute for Health Research Surgical MedTech Co-operative. The Co-operative is creating a national network for improving surgical care through technological innovation. The NIHR Surgical MedTech Co-operative is hosted by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and works closely with the University of Leeds in biomedical research.
Professor Nick Plant, deputy vice-chancellor: research and innovation, who welcomed Mr Quince, said: “Working in collaboration with partners across the health and social care sector, our world class research reduces local and global health inequalities and accelerates the development and adoption of new health technologies.
“We welcomed the opportunity to share this vital work with the Minister for Health and Secondary Care during his visit to showcase how we can make a positive impact in the world.”
Gareth Scargill, interim Nexus director, added: “Nexus supports a variety of innovative companies that play an important role in developing healthcare innovation within the region and globally. It was great to highlight some of this work today. Health innovation is a regional strength for West Yorkshire and, collectively, we’re in a great position to deliver a faster and better service for patients.”
Following the visit, Will Quince said on social media: “It was great to see the brilliant work happening in Leeds to drive innovation, including developing new medical technologies to improve surgery. We’re determined to protect tech budgets and embrace innovations. Cutting-edge tech is key to improving care.”
