This month we are very glad to showcase our Manchester Connected Health Ecosystem, who was the very first ecosystem in our network that has grown considerably larger since then.
Our Communities Director Andy Bleaden says: ” I can remember my first Ecosystem meeting ever and that was in Manchester – there were so many initiatives and no one place to share them. The Manchester Ecosystem kick started that idea of matching need and solution and is still going strong. Worth remembering that all the way through the Pandemic the Greater Manchester Ecosystem has carried on meeting (albeit virtually) and still continues to offer great collaboration potential.”
What is the approximate stakeholder breakdown of your ecosystem?
The Greater Manchester Connected Health Ecosystem is a collaborative network that brings together world leading academic expertise, industry partners from SMEs to major international digital & pharma companies, Health and Social Care professionals across the NHS, Public Health and local government, and patient and service user representatives.
The Ecosystem is coordinated by The University of Manchester (Digital Futures and The Christabel Pankhurst Institute and Health Innovation Manchester. It reaches a network of over 800 members including 350 from industry, 149 NHS and 76 public bodies as well as those from charities, academics and researchers.
Who are the top 3 champions from your Ecosystem?
The GM Connected Health Ecosystem has worked closely with the following organisations, providing them with a platform to showcase their work. Please click the links below to find out more:
SafeSteps
Gendius
MIDAS
What EU funding/collaboration are you involved with, or you would like to be part of?
The GM connected Health Ecosystem works with the ERDF Research & Innovation health accelerator programme. This provides a platform for SMEs to collaborate with Manchester’s research and innovation institutions, helping them to access expertise and support for their businesses.
What are the key priorities and themes for your ecosystem?
Serving a City region wide population of some 2.8 million people, the GM Ecosystem is designed to engage key stakeholders in helping to deliver an innovation friendly environment for the development and deployment of connected health solutions; fully utilising the power of digital, mobile, and wireless technologies to enhance access to care, improve health, and deliver better outcomes.
The devolution of Greater Manchester’s Health & Social Care budget presents a unique opportunity to transform the lives of residents, allowing the region’s leaders and clinicians to tailor budgets and priorities to directly meet the needs of local communities and improve the health and wellbeing of the region.
What is your primary strength as an ecosystem?
The unique, collaborative nature of the GM health and care system provides a platform linking academic, clinical and industry worlds under one ecosystem.
We have also continued to run regular ecosystem events throughout the pandemic, reaching a wide audience. Looking forward, we have already begun planning a return to face-to-face events in the near future.
Who are your clinical champions, either hospitals, clinicians, specialties?
The GM Connected health Ecosystem has strong links to the clinical world at all levels and with clinical leadership across specialities.
Recent speakers from a clinical perspective have included Dr. Paula Bennett (Chief Nurse CNIO, Health Innovation Manchester), Dr Saif Ahmed (GP and Deputy CCIO, Tameside and Glossop CCG) and Prof. Jenny Myers (Consultant Obstetrician, St Mary’s Hospital).
For more details about the ecosystem or potential collaborations, please contact Orla Burden, orla.burden@manchester.ac.uk.
