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Healthy ageing work in the
North is internationally acclaimed
WORK to support active and healthy
ageing in the North West Coast region has been internationally recognised.
The region has become a prestigious 'Reference Site' for the European
Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing along with the other 3
areas of the North.
The bid for the recognition was led by the 4 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs)
in the North including the Innovation Agency, the AHSN for Cheshire, Merseyside,
Lancashire and south Cumbria.
The rating shows that the regions have demonstrated an innovative and
comprehensive approach to healthy ageing with concrete evidence of the impact of
their work on patients' health.
In the North West Coast, the Innovation Agency is involved in an NHS 'Test
Bed' in Lancashire and Cumbria, in which the NHS has partnered with
companies and social enterprises to support frail elderly people with dementia
and other long term conditions, avoiding unnecessary admissions to Hospital. It
is also a partner in 3 other European programmes, focussed on supporting healthy
ageing, through innovative technologies.
Innovation Agency Chief Executive Dr Liz Mear said:- "This means that our
region will be at the forefront internationally to take opportunities to work
together, using the latest technology and learning to keep people well as they
live longer. It is a great accolade for the high quality of work already
underway in the North of England."
The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) coordinated and gave strategic
guidance for the bids, which saw all four Northern sites awarded:-
'Reference Site' status and achieve a 3 star rating.
Dr Hakim Yadi CEO of the NHSA said:- "The North's excellence in healthy
and active ageing is second to none with centres of international importance
located here. This assessment of work by a panel of independent experts
demonstrates the excellent research being done across the region in this field,
and its effectiveness at putting innovative ideas into practice to make a very
real difference to people's lives."
The 4 organisations awarded the status are:- Greater Manchester Academic Health
Science Network (GMAHSN), Innovation Agency (North West Coast Academic Health
Science Network), Newcastle University and Academic Health Science Network North
East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), and Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health
Science Network (Yorkshire and Humber AHSN).
The North applications underwent a Pan-European peer review during May and June
and a panel of independent experts from the European Commission, the Reference
Site Collaborative Network (RSCN), and research and consultancy firm empirica
validated review results.
The European Commission defines a Reference Site as:- "Regions, and
Cities, integrated Hospitals / care organisations that implement a
comprehensive, innovation based approach to active and healthy ageing and can
give evidence and concrete illustrations of their impact on the ground."
Assistant Director Healthcare Transformation at the Department of Health Social
Services and Public Safety, John Farrell said:- "The Reference Sites in
the North of England are among some of the most advanced Reference Sites in
Europe. Their collaborative approach in engaging health and care providers,
government, industry and researchers in the development and adoption of
innovative solutions have helped to improve health and care outcomes for
patients, and offered new models and approaches that will help transform the way
services are delivered. This recognition along with the technological and
innovative solutions being developed will help to open new commercial markets
across Europe and beyond."
The European Commission is preparing a series of support activities to assist
the new Reference Sites by stimulating exchange of experiences, promoting
technical training and the transfer of innovative practices, as well as
highlighting at European level the work the Reference Sites are delivering. |
