News

We welcome the news that Leeds will be one of the three thematic campuses announced by the Government as testbeds to drive its national missions. This initiative places local communities and frontline workers, such as teachers and NHS staff, at the heart of policy development, ensuring their insights and expertise shape future decision-making.

As part of the Government’s Places for Growth strategy, bringing together place, reform, and people, Leeds has been named as a thematic campus for health led by the Leeds Health and Social Care Hub.

Leeds is a growing, diverse and ambitious city, already home to well-established neighbourhood networks led by the voluntary and community sector, with strong anchor institutions, and a thriving life sciences sector. These assets make it uniquely placed to drive progress on this national priority.

As a proud partner of the Leeds Health and Social Care Hub, we are committed to helping turn this ambition into real-world impact, supporting the creation of an NHS that is innovative, inclusive and future-ready.

Our CEO Richard Stubbs said:

“Partnership and collaboration are central to what we do at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and this new, mission-led approach rightly recognises that real change happens when local, regional and national partners come together and share their expertise. We have built strong working relationships with NHS partners, industry innovators, academia and local government to drive and scale health innovations that address local priorities, improve outcomes, and contribute to economic growth.

We welcome the Government’s focus on place-based working, which reflects the principles we set out last year in our YHealth for Growth white paper: that the most effective solutions to complex challenges are rooted in local knowledge, assets and ambition. As a partner in the Leeds Health and Social Care Hub, we’re proud to support this work and play our part in shaping an NHS that is fit for the future.”

The announcement comes at a time when the economic potential of health innovation is clearer than ever. The recent ‘Defining the Size of the Health Innovation Prize’ report from the Health Innovation Network highlights that harnessing health innovation could contribute up to £278 billion a year to the UK economy.

By focusing innovation on areas of maximum value, we can deliver a healthier, more productive population, supporting the Government’s health and wealth agenda. The potential benefits are far-reaching:

• Improved population health, including reductions in chronic disease and enhanced quality of life
• Boosted workforce productivity, through reduced sickness absence and increased economic participation
• Reduced pressure on the NHS, with fewer hospital admissions, more efficient care pathways, and shorter waits
• And crucially, economic growth driven by job creation, inward investment, and demonstrable returns on innovation.

This recognition of Leeds as a thematic health campus builds on strong foundations already in place and aligns with a shared ambition across the city to improve health outcomes while contributing to national prosperity. We are pleased to be able to support this work and help shape a future-focused NHS, led by local strength and national vision.

If you would like to discuss how we can work together to make this ambition a reality, get in touch by emailing info@healthinnovationyh.com