Leeds is positioning itself as a key player in the UK’s health research landscape, focusing on improving health outcomes, addressing health inequalities, and driving economic growth. The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has unveiled a five-year plan aiming for £140 million in research activity by 2030, a 40% increase from previous goals.
The strategy aligns with the Government’s NHS ten-year vision, supporting shifts in healthcare delivery, including moving care from hospitals to communities and enhancing prevention efforts. Central to this plan are 350 industry partnerships and a renewed focus on the commercialisation of NHS innovations, aimed at boosting the regional economy.
The Trust’s Innovation Village, housed in the repurposed Old Medical School, will become a hub for life sciences businesses. Additionally, the Trust is investing in staff training, with 1,250 people set to gain expertise in research and innovation, ensuring a workforce that contributes to cutting-edge discoveries.
With health inequalities a significant challenge, the strategy focuses on digital advancements, health data, AI, and innovations in therapeutics and diagnostics. The Trust is also set to recruit 100,000 research participants, including 10,000 from community settings, ensuring research is accessible to those in need.
Leeds’ growing international partnerships, such as collaborations with Flatiron Health, have already led to breakthroughs in digital pathology and anonymised data research, positioning the city as a leader in healthtech innovation.
This strategy underscores Leeds’ ambition to become a global hub for health research, creating jobs, attracting investment, and shaping the future of healthcare both regionally and internationally.
