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On Yorkshire Day let’s celebrate our spirit of invention and entrepreneurialism – a spirit which has propelled the region into the forefront of transformation in health and life sciences.

The White Rose county has become home to some of the world’s most advanced academic and commercial innovation hubs, focussed on developing new health tests, tools and treatments.

During a recent visit to Leeds, Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, described the city as a ‘healthcare innovation powerhouse’.

At a time of huge change in the NHS – in how it is managed nationally and delivered locally – this is an opportunity for Yorkshire to shine.

We are already seeing key government investments and national assets moving to Yorkshire and the Humber. An example of this is the £7.5m funding secured for the West Yorkshire LaunchPad thanks to a partnership between the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and Innovate UK to support business growth in the healthtech sector.

Leeds was recently named as one of the three places in the country to host thematic policy campuses, with the city chosen to lead the Government’s ‘Health Mission’, an initiative placing local communities and frontline workers, at the heart of policy development, ensuring that their insights and expertise shape future decision-making.

In South Yorkshire, Sheffield has been chosen to lead on the ‘Opportunity Mission’ through its Policy Campus, working directly with the local workforce, – such as health and education professionals – to co-develop solutions for national challenges such as unemployment, skills gaps, and social disadvantage, all of which are closely tied to health and economic growth.

Last month an important national regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), launched a new digital hub in Leeds to drive regional partnerships, attract skilled talent and boost local investment.

These new developments supplement what was already a thriving health and life sciences ecosystem boasting world-class assets making Yorkshire and the Humber a vital contributor to the UK’s innovation landscape. For example:

• The York Health Economic Consortium (YHEC) provides national and international health economic consultancy and research in health economics.
• The Data Science, AI and Modelling Centre (DAIM) at University of Hull is a hub for interdisciplinary research and innovation, bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and computational modelling.
• The Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control is a partnership between the NHS, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations and academic institutions aiming to accelerate reductions in smoking rates.
• The National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield connects small businesses with cutting-edge research and resources.

As the Government sets out its plan to transform the health and care of the country through the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, Yorkshire innovation is undoubtedly one of the most important contributions that is going to build an NHS that is fit for future.

And our homegrown innovation is to play its full part in delivering the Government’s health mission, we need to focus our efforts in three key areas:

• Improving population health, including reductions in chronic disease and enhanced quality of life
• Boosting workforce productivity, through reduced sickness absence and increased economic participation
• Reducing pressure on the NHS, with fewer hospital admissions, more efficient care pathways, and shorter waits

As we succeed in harnessing innovation to achieve these objectives, we will also succeed in driving economic growth by creating new jobs and continuing to attract inward and foreign investments.

This place-based approach reflects the recommendations of our white paper ‘Empowering Local Places for Health and Prosperity: New Perspectives from Yorkshire and the Humber’.

Health innovation is not only central to improving outcomes and reducing inequalities, it’s also the engine that will drive inclusive economic growth. Its role is more important than ever at a time of financial pressure across our health and care systems.

The opportunity, as highlighted in the Health Innovation Network’s recently published ‘Defining the Size of the Health Innovation Prize’ report, is significant. Innovation could add £278bn to the UK economy every year by improving health outcomes, boosting workforce productivity and relieving pressure on the NHS.

By embracing innovation, we can create a healthier, more economically vibrant future, not just for Yorkshire and the Humber, but for the whole of the UK.

This opinion piece was initially published by Yorkshire Post on Friday 01 August.