A new strategic partnership between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), Siemens Healthineers and The University of Manchester (UoM) is set to accelerate Greater Manchester’s capacity to detect and diagnose health conditions disproportionately affecting the city’s population.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the relationships between the three organisations, its key priorities include earlier detection and intervention for cancer patients; data-driven approaches to early diagnosis; and integrative diagnostic approaches for the conditions disproportionately affecting the Greater Manchester population, such as heart disease and preventable cancers.
The partnership builds on an agreement in January 2021, when MFT and Siemens Healthineers confirmed a 15-year technology partnership with a value of approximately £125 million, which aims to ensure the provision and replacement of key radiology equipment across nine of NFT’s hospitals.
In addition, MFT and UoM co-host the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, which focuses on scientific breakthroughs in diagnostic tests and life-saving treatments.
Professor Neil Hanley, UoM’s Vice-Dean covering Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, commented that the new partnership between the three organisations “is really exciting and further evidence of our strength in working across university, NHS and commercial boundaries to translate research into innovations that make a real difference not just locally, but also out in the wider world.”
Dr Katherine Boylan, Head of Innovation at MFT, added: “It is widely recognised that there are deep-rooted health inequalities and high levels of long-term conditions across GM, and our three organisations are committed to working to address these persisting issues.”
From Siemens Healthineers, Head of Research and Development Dr Craig Buckley said, “Manchester has recognised that it faces considerable population health challenges, highlighting the need for a healthcare system focussed on rapidly delivering improved patient outcomes.
“Pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare is at the heart of what we do. This partnership marks a joint commitment to tackling the burden of cancer and other prevalent diseases in the region, with the aim of delivering cutting-edge detection and diagnosis, as we seek new ways of delivering care.”
