Supporting the Northern Powerhouse in Health Research Science and Innovation Audit

In 2018, Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) appointed Steer Economic Development to support the development of the Northern Powerhouse in Health Research Science and Innovation Audit (SIA), which was part of the Third Wave of Government-sponsored SIAs.

The SIA focused on Learning Health Systems and Precision Medicine in the North. The primary hypothesis was that utilising the collective academic, clinical, and business strengths across the North of England in key areas would have a greater impact on investment into, and economic development of the North, than through utilising smaller geographic footprints. The report cumulated in a series of ‘asks’ including a Precision Medicine Academy to strengthen relevant skills in the region, freedoms and flexibilities for NHS procurement to support innovation in the North.

Our work included the collation and analysis of:

• socio-economic data, including data on the supply of talent and the flow of graduates between LEPs across the North;
• data on academic performance and innovation, including citations and patent registrations;
• information on local science and innovation assets; and
• the policy and funding environment, to understand how projects might be taken forward.

The process was underpinned by significant business and academic stakeholder engagement via workshops, which facilitated networking and promoted collaboration between different agencies/organisations.