Life Sciences Hub Wales impact assessment highlights investment
Life Sciences Hub Wales has highlighted its role in helping the nation become a place of choice for health and social care investment.
Driving innovation to the frontline of health and social care is helping tackle key challenges across Wales. And ultimately, it’s enhancing quality of care, optimising service delivery and initiating essential economic growth and job creation.
Recent statistics from their impact assessment highlight:
Supported:
- 262 organisations
- 105 jobs
- 39 adoption ready proposals
- 37 funding proposals
Secured:
- £23.5 million funding
- £13.2 million investment
Delivered:
- £5.8 million Gross Value Added (GVA)
- £4.7 million of value to the system
The report highlights the organisation’s role as a bridge connecting health, social care, and industry, providing bespoke support and guidance to facilitate the progression of innovation in Wales.
The report further explores impactful projects where Life Sciences Hub Wales is actively helping to propel the adoption of innovation:
- Initial partner convening and support of the QuicDNA project, where cross-sector partners are working to evaluate pioneering liquid biopsy genomics technology to speed up the diagnosis pathway for lung cancer patients.
- How early-stage support of the All-Wales National Robotics-Assisted Surgery Programme has facilitated growth. This minimally invasive technology has treated hundreds of cancer patients and trained dozens of staff, which has seen quicker recovery time and bringing vital jobs opportunities to Wales.
- Comprehensive funding support work for innovators on a range of bid opportunities including Biomedical Catalyst: Advanced Precision Medicine and the UKRI Digital Health Hub Pilot.
- Undertaking horizon scanning and project management support for an evaluation of a digital medication management device involving partners from both health and social care in Bridgend.
Eluned Morgan, minister for health and social services, said: "As we set out in 'Wales Innovates: our Innovation Strategy for Wales' earlier this year, aligning innovation to our health and care system needs is a crucial component in creating a healthier and more prosperous Wales.
“Life Sciences Hub Wales plays an essential role in supporting and accelerating innovation across Wales through a wide range of support programmes, platforms, and networks – all of which are highlighted in this year’s Impact Report.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Life Sciences Hub Wales; and through innovation, we can help enhance the quality of care, optimise service delivery and build a better future for Welsh patients and citizens.”
Cari-Anne Quinn, chief executive officer of Life Sciences Hub Wales, added: “In our sixth year as a connector, facilitator and driver of health and social care innovation, we’re committed to continuing our journey to drive system-wide transformation. Our impact report highlights the impact of health, social care and industry partners accessing our range of support services. And ultimately, demonstrates how in collaboration we can advance innovation to the frontline and help improve patient experience, drive efficiencies and support the Welsh economy.
“Thank you to all of our partners who are helping us make Wales a place of choice for innovation and investment. We can’t wait to see where our support will take us next.”
The report is available to download in full on Life Sciences Hub Wales’ website.