Loughborough University is part of a new East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) announced by NHS England today.

The EMAHSN is a new and unique partnership with a key focus on adopting and spreading innovation and best practice.

It will develop solutions to healthcare problems and ensure existing solutions are spread more quickly by building strong relationships with regional scientific and academic communities and industry.

There are 87 partners in the East Midlands AHSN serving a population of 4.8 million, including NHS, universities and industry in the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

EMAHSN will focus on key health issues in the East Midlands, including the care of frail older people and stroke rehabilitation.

Peter Homa, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Interim Chair for the East Midlands AHSN, said:

“All partners from the East Midlands are naturally delighted with the news that the East Midlands has been designated and licensed as an Academic Health Science Network.

“The East Midlands starts from a position of great strength with our excellent track record of world-class expertise in research and innovative collaboration with our university and industry partners.

“By working ever closer together across each of these sectors and sharing our ideas for innovation, we will be able to act even faster to put these innovations and ideas into practice, to further improve the health, care and outcomes for our patients.”

Loughborough University Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research Professor Myra Nimmo added:

“For East Midlands universities, this is a fantastic opportunity to work together to make the very best use of our complementary research, teaching and education strengths. Our close connections with the NHS and industry can only benefit further from EMAHSN authorisation.”

NHS England’s Chief Executive, Sir David Nicholson, said:

“The NHS is full of brilliant people with brilliant ideas. To spread ideas right across the NHS means working collaboratively with all those who have an interest.

“AHSNs offer a more systematic delivery mechanism so that innovation spreads quickly and successfully through the NHS, making the best possible use of precious NHS resources and in ensuring the most advanced treatments, technologies and medicines are available to patients.”

The development of AHSNs was recommended in Sir David’s December 2011 report Innovation, Health and Wealth. Sir Alan Langlands, CEO of the Higher Education Funding Council, chaired the panel to consider applications from prospective AHSNs.

The 15 AHSNs they recommended will now be given licence to operate and will cover the whole of England.

For more information about the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network, visit: www.emahsn.ac.uk

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