Newsroom University of Manchester

Devo Manc led to significant improvements across health system, study finds

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 02:39:00 +0000

The devolution deals which granted Greater 91ֱ�� increased control over a range of public services enabled them to make significant improvements in many parts of the health system, a unique study led by University of Manchester researchers has shown.

The study, which evaluated changes in Greater 91ֱ�� from 2016 to 2020 compared to the rest of England, is published in the journal Social Science & Medicine today (25/03/24).

It builds on previous evidence by investigating how changes in the health system may have led to increases in life expectancy in Greater 91ֱ�� over this period, analysing 98 measures of performance.

It was funded by The Health Foundation and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM).

According to the study, there were 11.1% fewer alcohol related hospital admissions, 11.6% fewer first time offenders, 14.4% fewer hospital admissions for violence, and 3.1% fewer half school days missed from 2016 to 2020.

Same day GP appointments increased by 1.8% and unplanned A&E re-attendances were 2.7% lower, in line with increases in the GP and hospital workforce. Cancer screening rates also improved.

Adult social care effectiveness and overall satisfaction also improved by 17.6%, despite decreases in expenditure and staff.

However, adult obesity increased by 7.6% and median wait times for A&E treatment worsened by 12.2%. There were also mixed impacts of devolution on outpatient, mental health, maternity, and dental services.

The positive changes, argue the researchers, are likely to have been a result of different aspects of the Greater 91ֱ�� devolution deals.

These include the transfer of control over transformation funding for improving services to the Greater 91ֱ�� Health and Social Care Partnership, the development of collaborative relationships between the NHS agencies and local governments represented on the Greater 91ֱ�� Health and Social Care Partnership Board, or the impact of wider devolved public services.

The negative changes on other indicators, they add, are likely to be a result of difficulties local decision-makers had in re-prioritising how they used their resources given their limited powers to raise additional revenue through taxation or other means.

Lead author from The University of Manchester said: “This study provides new evidence on the impact of devolution on health and care services , focusing on a large set of performance measures.

“Our findings suggest that devolution in Greater 91ֱ�� was associated with broad improvements in health services, social determinants of health, and subsequently, health outcomes.”

Co-author from The University of Manchester and Deputy Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater 91ֱ�� (ARC-GM) said: “These improvements were achieved despite limited formal devolved authority and control over health and care resources, suggesting that other features of the health and wider devolution deals played an important role.

“However, improvements were not universal. Restricted formal powers are likely to have made it harder to fully reprioritise resources.”

Co-author from The University of Manchester said: “Unlike what we have seen in other devolved places, enhancements were observed in Greater 91ֱ�� even with limited health and social care powers, and without the ability to significantly raise revenue through taxes.

“The success of future devolution initiatives to improve population health might depend less on the devolution of formal powers, and more on alignment and collaboration between health and other public services within the region.”

Adam Briggs, Senior Policy Fellow at the Health Foundation, said: “The past decade was incredibly challenging for health and social care services across England, so it is very positive that this research finds that life expectancy in Greater 91ֱ�� has been heading in the right direction. But devolution is complex and, as the researchers point out, it’s hard to know what aspects of the approach taken in Greater 91ֱ�� have helped - untangling causation from correlation is very difficult.

“Ultimately, much of what makes us healthy sits outside of health care services and is instead driven by the building blocks of good health – such as secure housing, good work and education. As public finances get increasingly stretched, closer partnership working between the NHS, local government and communities is needed now more than ever, whether that’s a result of devolution or any other form of local collaboration.”

Chair of NHS Greater 91ֱ�� Integrated Care Board, Sir Richard Leese said: “This latest research reinforces what we know, that working together in partnership, locally has better outcomes and supports people to live healthier and happier lives.

“It’s encouraging that our approach has seen increases to healthy life expectancy and better access in some services. However, we recognise where we haven’t seen improvements or the change we hoped for, including against the national average. We’re continuing to work together as a system to improve health and care for everyone. Our commitment to partnership working will give us the best chance of success and tackling health inequalities.”

Chair of Greater 91ֱ�� Integrated Care Board, City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Devolution, in health and care and other areas, has given us the ability to unlock health benefits for our Greater 91ֱ�� communities by working together to deliver good housing, good jobs and more. The power, potential and importance of locally driven integration and collaboration is clear from this report. We must maintain this."

The paper “The Impact of Devolution on Local Health Systems: Evidence from Greater 91ֱ��, England" is available .

New research collaboration will tackle Greater 91ֱ��’s biggest health challenges

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 00:01:00 +0100

A major new health research programme, led by researchers from The University of Manchester, has been announced today (11 July 2019) to tackle Greater 91ֱ��’s biggest health challenges, as part of a £135m national investment.

The National Institute for Health Research () is funding the establishment of 15 Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) across England to develop innovative research projects that will directly improve patient care and treatment.

The NIHR ARC for Greater 91ֱ�� will become part of from 1 October 2019, bringing together researchers, health and care providers, patients and communities to deliver large programmes of research.

Professor Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive of Health Innovation 91ֱ��, said: “Our role is to conduct research that addresses the needs of Greater 91ֱ��’s 2.8m citizens and accelerate implementation of the findings and proven innovations through our devolved health and care system. This has a direct impact on people’s health and wellbeing, transforms local services and supports the creation of jobs, growth and prosperity for all.

“The ARC’s research activity will be pivotal in finding new and better ways of preventing illness and delivering care, ensuring that Greater 91ֱ�� continues to be at the leading edge of health innovation, care and treatment.”

Over the next five years, the ARC will focus research on helping older people to stay healthy for longer, supporting people with mental health problems, making better use of technology, organising services to address local needs and ensuring services are sustainable. This will be underpinned by expertise in evaluation and implementation science.

The University of Manchester's , Director for the NIHR ARC Greater 91ֱ��, said: “Through the ARC, we will deliver excellent research that addresses key challenges, as well as supporting professionals to translate this into practice. Our broad research themes reflect the specific priorities of Greater 91ֱ�� and build on our exceptional research capabilities.

“We will work with our partners to translate their priorities into answerable research questions, ensuring that our jointly-produced research is relevant, useful and applicable to local service needs and affects policy and practice within GM and beyond.”

The ARC builds on the work undertaken by the current NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Research in Health and Care () Greater 91ֱ��, which has carried out applied research and supported its impact in practice over the last six years. This includes improving care for people after a stroke, supporting carers of those requiring end of life care, developing improved access to primary care and improving complex wound care in the community.

Professor Ruth Boaden, Director of the NIHR CLAHRC Greater 91ֱ��, said:

“I’m delighted that the ARC will continue to develop the work of the CLAHRC. It’s great to see how the ARC’s priorities will be aligned to the evolving needs of our local population in Greater 91ֱ��. CLAHRC GM is leaving a proud legacy of new knowledge and resources addressing some of the biggest challenges in health care; as well as great relationships, and the development of research skills and capacity among our partners. I am sure that the ARC will be able to build on this excellent work when it starts in October.”

will be the host NHS provider of the ARC and the University of Manchester will be the host academic institution.

Top northern universities’ impact double that of Premier League - report

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 00:01:00 +0100

The value to the economy of the eight most research-intensive universities in the Northern Powerhouse region is almost double that of the entire Premier League, a report reveals today.

contribute £6.6bn of GVA (gross value added) to the Northern economy per year.*

The scale and breadth of the economic impact of the universities is revealed in a report by the N8 Research Partnership – The Power of 8: Knowledge, Innovation and Growth for the North – launched today.

The report also reveals the universities of Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, 91ֱ��, Newcastle, Sheffield and York together generated a total of 119,000 FTE jobs - equivalent to all the jobs within a city the size of Salford.

And it found that the N8 universities attracted £1.26bn of research funding per annum.

The report also highlights the importance of EU funding with some 13%, or £127m, of competitive research funding for the N8 universities coming from the European Union.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “This report demonstrates the very significant positive contribution of The University of Manchester and its partner institutions across the North of England, helping to create jobs and prosperity in our local communities.”

The research by the N8 Research Partnership, the collaboration body for the northern research-intensive universities, and Viewforth Consulting, was launched today at an event in Leeds.

The findings prompted calls by Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York and Chair of N8, for Prime Minister Theresa May to accelerate the Government’s plans by increasing investment in infrastructure and innovation in the North.

Professor Lamberts also encouraged the Government to resolve uncertainty over international research funding for UK universities in light of the Brexit vote.

“This report highlights the critical role which research funding plays in driving economic impact and identifies the value of research funding which comes from EU sources.

“In the light of the Brexit vote and the requirement for the UK to renegotiate its relationship with Europe, we believe Government must act swiftly to address the potential gap in research funding which might arise through our withdrawal from the EU.

“Such funding is essential if we are to retain our global standing and attract the brightest and best talent. It also plays a significant role in research and innovation which directly leads to UK business creation and employment growth.”

Writing in the report, Former Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Lord Heseltine says the findings show that the research-intensive universities of N8 can be at the forefront of a rejuvenated Northern economy, and play a central role in strengthening and stabilising industries through new ideas, innovations and insights.

Lord Heseltine adds: “As the devolution of important powers to cities and regions moves forward, partnerships between cities and universities can provide a clear voice of leadership and ideas, and can create a high-skill, innovation-driven future.

“I believe and expect the N8 universities, working individually and together, to be at the forefront of a rejuvenated Northern economy.”

The report also highlights the role played by the N8 universities in helping to establish new businesses, the commercialisation of innovation, and the development of the next generation of entrepreneurs.

For example, The University of Manchester worked with to develop a ‘next generation’ industrial control package affording the opportunity for engaging its existing products in several new industrial sectors, resulting in sales turnover increasing by over £400k and employment of three new staff.

Key findings of the report include:

N8 universities attract annual research income of £1.26bn, 88% of all Northern Higher Education research income
Their economic activity is worth a total of £12.2bn to the Northern economy
N8 universities contribute a larger share of North of England Region GVA than the entire Northern media Industry, agriculture, or motor vehicle manufacturing, sectors
N8 universities provide consultancy services to more than 17,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
The N8 universities have a 10-year track record of successfully collaborating across the region
13% of the N8 universities’ research funding comes from European Union sources

N8 Chair Professor Koen Lamberts said: “This research paints a compelling and comprehensive picture of the contribution which our universities make to the Northern economy, creating jobs and prosperity for people from all walks of life.

“What is also made abundantly clear is that N8 universities are not just world-class research institutions but also major economic enterprises, generating significant revenue and economic activity and driving inward investment.

“The Government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda can and should play a major role in creating an environment which enables our universities to generate even more benefit to the Northern and wider UK economy.

“Such benefit can only come, however, if there is further investment in innovation in the North, in inward investment in the North and in transport and infrastructure in the North.

“We need to be able to attract and retain the world’s most talented academics, researchers and students; we need to ensure that our students, staff and partners can easily access our world-leading facilities; and we need to attract innovative overseas businesses so that we have a genuinely international innovation and enterprise eco-system.”

N8 Universities’ economic impact as measured in GVA includes direct activity, knock-on activity and student body impact on 2014/2015. Ernst & Young (EY) Economic Impact Assessment of the Premier League, published May 2015, indicated a GVA contribution of £3.4bn in the 2013/2014 season.

For more information about how businesses can work with The University of Manchester, visit .

View and download the report from .

£28.5m invested in Greater 91ֱ��’s devolved health system to pioneer lifesaving research

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:01:00 +0100

Today history has been made as a single 91ֱ�� bid has been awarded £28.5m from the NIHR, bringing lifesaving tests and treatments a step nearer for millions of people.

The bid has only been made possible through bringing together the recognised clinical and research expertise from across health and academia, which demonstrates the connectivity and collaboration that is central to making Greater 91ֱ�� devolution a success.

The successful bid has been hosted by Central 91ֱ�� University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with The University of Manchester and the partnership also involves The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of South 91ֱ�� NHS Foundation Trust and is supported by . It will see 91ֱ�� granted prestigious NIHR Biomedical Research Centre status.

This will drive forward pioneering research into new tests and treatments in the areas of musculoskeletal disease, hearing health, respiratory disease and dermatology and three themes (prevention, radiotherapy and precision medicine).

91ֱ��’s researchers impressed an international panel of experts with their unique proposals that will accelerate the translation of early stage research into new diagnostic tests and treatments to benefit patients of all ages and backgrounds in Greater 91ֱ�� and beyond. This will make 91ֱ�� ideally placed to attract further research investment that will give our patients early access to new and ground-breaking treatments and will deliver wider value to the economy.

Jon Rouse, Chief Officer of , the body overseeing the devolution of the £6bn health and social care budget, said:

"The new partnership approach under devolution means that we have both the opportunity – and the means – to combine the talents of people from a whole range of areas to benefit our population. This hugely welcome funding is recognition that in Greater 91ֱ�� we can combine the best clinical skills with the best research, innovation and academic talent to take huge steps in improving the health and wellbeing of our people.’

, Director of the NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC, added: “Working closely with patients, we will use the latest advances in biology, medicine and health technology to better predict disease and likely treatment response. The new diagnostic tests and therapies we develop will enable doctors to offer a more tailored approach and to better personalise treatments to the individual. We are also working on better ways to prevent disease developing in the first place.”

Sir Mike Deegan, Chief Executive of Central 91ֱ�� University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explained: “The achievement of a BRC for 91ֱ�� is a landmark moment which will see £28.5m directly invested into finding new ways of preventing, predicting and treating some of the major causes of premature death and disability,” commented “Bringing together our research expertise has only been made possible by the unique connectivity which devolution provides.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “The BRC focuses the research efforts of the University and NHS Partners so that we can address the considerable health needs of Greater 91ֱ��. As the areas of research being targeted by the BRC represent complex global health issues our work also has the potential to have an impact much further afield.”

Roger Spencer, Chief Executive of The Christie, said: “Having a BRC that focuses on three areas of cancer research is to be warmly welcomed. Together with cutting edge advances in treatment such as the new proton beam therapy unit, The Christie is improving research into cancer which means we will be even better able to serve the health needs of this region.”

Professor Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean of The University of Manchester's commented: “This award presents us with a fantastic opportunity to build on our existing, very successful relationships with our NHS partners in MAHSC to help deliver a real step-change in health research across 91ֱ��.

"All seven research themes are led by academics based in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; and our ability to deliver tangible benefits under each of the seven areas has undoubtedly been enhanced by the closer alignment of discovery, clinical and health sciences during the creation of FBMH. As each BRC theme becomes established, there will be many opportunities for colleagues across the Faculty to make a contribution and to establish new collaborations with our partner organisations.

“The seven BRC themes, led by Faculty academics, will also help to realise our ambition of developing a truly translational approach to biology, medicine and health, and ultimately have a very real and positive impact on people’s lives.”

The seven research themes

Cancer

Theme 1: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Lead:

Around 50% of people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer prevention and early detection strategies are not currently fully leveraged despite having an important role to play in the fight against cancer.

The BRC will help to improve the targeting of these strategies, by developing the early markers needed to diagnose cancer sooner and rapidly identify whether a treatment is having the desired response.

Theme 2: Advanced radiotherapy
Lead:

Radiotherapy has an important role to play in the fight against cancer. Around 40% of those patients cured of cancer have received radiotherapy as part of their treatment.

The BRC will improve the delivery of radiation and develop markers to predict the benefit of different types of radiation and drug-radiation combinations, as well as the risk of long-term side effects,”

Theme 3: Cancer precision medicine
Lead:

The BRC will help the NHS to deliver a more personalised and proactive approach to caring for patients with cancer. Through the precise characterisation of tumours, its research will enable us to develop the diagnostic tests needed to match an individual’s cancer with the drug most likely to have the desired therapeutic effect.

Work will also focus on helping clinicians to anticipate and appropriately manage drug resistant relapse, a common problem faced by patients with cancer.

Musculoskeletal diseases

Theme 4: Musculoskeletal disease
Lead:

Musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis and connective tissue diseases, account for over 20% of all GP consultations and are the second most common cause of disability worldwide.

Building on the work of our NIHR 91ֱ�� Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, the BRC will focus on strategies to prevent arthritis developing in the first place. We are also developing new treatment approaches to arthritis in adults and children and new tests to improve our ability to personalise treatments used. .

Hearing health

Theme 5: Hearing health
Lead:

Hearing loss will soon be the 7^th largest global disease burden. It represents a major public health issue with substantial economic and societal costs. The BRC is focused on the rapid adoption of discoveries into routine clinical practice to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities and provide value for money.

The BRC will help deliver effective and efficient hearing health across the lifespan – from preventing potentially devastating inherited deafness through to age-related deafness.

Respiratory diseases

Theme 6: Respiratory disease
Lead:

Respiratory diseases are the third most common cause of death and the second most common cause of hospital admissions in the UK.

The BRC will build a better understanding of the underlying causes of respiratory conditions and test new drug compounds aimed at novel targets to modify the disease processes involved and improve symptom control in patients.

Research will focus on earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment, to maximise the likelihood of a good treatment response for an individual whilst minimising the risks of harm from therapies such as antimicrobial resistance.

Dermatology

Theme 7: Cutaneous inflammation and repair
Lead:

Skin conditions and poor wound healding have a considerable impact on many people’s quality of life.

The BRC will identify markers and tools, which can be used to personalise treatment plans and identify opportunities to address unmet clinical need for patients suffering from complex wounds, psoriasis, hair loss and light-sensitive conditions.

Universities unite to explore opportunities to train extra medics

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:00:00 +0100

The University of Manchester, the University of Salford and 91ֱ�� Metropolitan University are working together to explore proposals to train health professionals starting with a new independent, international medical school to train more doctors.

The proposals will see the extension of medical training in the North West. This is in addition to the work already carried out by The University of Manchester’s own medical school, which has been educating doctors since 1874. The proposal draws on the breadth of experience across all three universities in educating and training healthcare professionals. The new school will have an international focus, and will allow the most talented applicants from abroad to benefit from the breadth of skills and knowledge at all three universities.

The principles of the future collaboration, agreed on Friday, July 29, by the three university vice-chancellors, represents a further development in the devolution of Greater 91ֱ��’s healthcare system, so-called ‘DevoManc’. The emphasis is on the needs of Greater 91ֱ�� and the opportunity to have a ‘one 91ֱ��’ focus has led to even greater cooperation between universities, the NHS and public bodies, to the benefit of the region’s population.

A joint statement by the three universities said: “Our discussions are at an early stage, but teaching more medical students right here in Greater 91ֱ�� is an exciting prospect. This is the first stage in the three universities developing a co-ordinated approach to healthcare education in the region to help address our local needs and priorities.

“By combining our knowledge, expertise, facilities and stakeholder networks we can offer world class opportunities which are highly attractive and accessible in a rapidly changing landscape for medical and health professionals in the UK and globally.”

Mobile phone is the stem cell of medical services: NHS Medical Director

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:27:22 +0000

He spoke about the role of the doctor, the future of the NHS and the impact of technology
Officially launched the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience allowing students to work with medical education partners

Sir Bruce Keogh, the Medical Director for NHS England delivered The University of Manchester’s annual Doubleday lecture today (18 November).

During the event he spoke about the role of the doctor, the future of the NHS and the impact technology will have on the way the organisation meets the future needs of the UK population. On technology he said: “The mobile phone in the stem cell of medical regeneration,” while also emphasising the need to maintain a personal touch between clinicians and patients.

Following the lecture an interview was recorded with Sir Bruce in which he covered the devolution of healthcare in Greater 91ֱ�� and gave his advice to medical students.

Sir Bruce also officially launched the University’s Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience which will allow students to work with medical education partners (patients, carers and service users) from the first year of study, in order to better understand their needs, feelings and deliver better treatment.

He recorded his thoughts on the Centre and the wider issue of patient involvement in health care.

The Centre will also be supported by a number of very high profile affiliates, including Sylvia Lancaster who campaigns against hate crime following the murder of her daughter; Carol Munt, national patient leader and advocate for the patient voice; Dame Philippa Russell who has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of carers in the UK and internationally; Helene Donnelly, the nurse who was at the centre of whistleblowing around poor practice at Mid Staffs NHS Trust and Sir Robert Francis, the QC who led the subsequent inquiry.

The Doubleday lecture is held in memory of Dr Edwin Doubleday, a St Andrews University and student who sadly died before completing his medical training. The was created to promote the development of medical training in the context of patient centred care and funds the Doubleday Centre.

Take a look at the event as it unfolded with our Storify account:

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Criminal justice system should be part of ‘Devo Manc’: Sir Peter Fahy public lecture

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Sir Peter is an Honorary Professor of Criminal Justice at the University
First public lecture following his departure from Greater 91ֱ�� Police

The Crown Prosecution Service, local courts and prisons should be part of the Greater 91ֱ�� devolution deal, says the former head of one of Britain’s largest police forces, who is speaking at The University of Manchester tomorrow (Wednesday).

Sir Peter Fahy, who retired as chief constable of Greater 91ֱ�� Police (GMP) last month, is calling for the criminal justice system to be part of the 'Devo Manc' transfer of powers so that they can be under stronger local oversight. The move would also ensure the efficiencies of working with other agencies can be realised.

During his first public lecture following his departure from GMP, Sir Peter who is an Honorary Professor of Criminal Justice at the University, will also argue that the very low conviction rate for rape and the lack of confidence in victims of sexual abuse to come forward, shows that the way the legal system deals with such cases needs to be fundamentally overhauled.

Ahead of his lecture, Sir Peter said: “I think there should be a much stronger role for a public prosecutor and a revamped local court system built on the need to break the cycle of repeat offending and complex dependency. I am concerned that proposed further cuts to the number of courts in Greater 91ֱ�� will further distance the justice system from local people.”

At the University, Sir Peter is expected to reflect on his rich and varied experiences of policing and public service and will explore how policing has changed over his 34 years service.

He continued: “Revisions of police powers have only come about as a reaction to failed cases and public scandals and there needs to be a more fundamental independent oversight of the progress of investigations and use of police powers as happens in other jurisdictions.

“The impact of public spending cuts already implemented and yet to come, demands that inefficient processes and systems designed in a time of plenty have to be confronted.

“Whilst I acknowledge that the impact of these cuts has been extremely painful, they will be liberating if it means some deep rooted weaknesses in the current justice system has to be confronted.”

Deal to create world-class health innovation

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 16:37:01 +0100

Leaders across healthcare research, academia and industry have today, Wednesday 2 September, come together to launch a unique partnership.

Health Innovation 91ֱ�� will speed up the discovery, development and delivery of innovative solutions to help improve the health of the almost three million people in Greater 91ֱ��, and beyond.

The new approach, which is the latest landmark in the region’s devolution of health and social care, builds on the existing expertise and assets in the area to address a nationwide issue of delays between research innovation and health and economic benefits being realised on the ground.

It will harness the partner organisations’ collective expertise to develop the infrastructure needed for clinical trials and health informatics.

The partnerships aims and ambitions are enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding which will be signed today by key partners from across the system including , , , and .

Health priorities in Greater 91ֱ�� include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, drug and alcohol misuse and the high prevalence of obesity among adults and children.

The early priorities identified for Health Innovation 91ֱ�� are:

Build on groundbreaking work on integrated health data systems to extend it to the whole of Greater 91ֱ��. This will enable better care (by providing more joined-up information to GPs and hospitals) and potentially help identify new ways of treating diseases.
Improve the ability to use personalised medicine, with more targeted treatments for those who will benefit most from them. For example, this could involve developing new medicines to treat specific groups of patients or targeting existing treatments more effectively.
Enhance the testing of new medicines or treatments to enable those with the biggest positive impact to be identified and introduced into routine clinical practice across the whole of Greater 91ֱ�� as quickly as possible, maximising the patient benefits.

These priorities will be underpinned by engagement with cutting-edge businesses to ensure effective collaborations which will help make Greater 91ֱ�� a magnet for innovative life science companies.

The partnership will also be able to have new innovations tested and validated for use across all NHS sites in the region – and then share data, learning and costs to improve diagnosis and ensure that patients get the most appropriate treatment. This will then have an impact on the region’s industry from research and development through to manufacturing.

Clive Morris, Director of Health Innovation 91ֱ��, said: “Greater 91ֱ�� already benefits from a strong history of research and innovation in health. It is an important life sciences cluster and an eco-system with significant growth potential.

“However, we know that it can take many years for a new innovation to reach routine adoption across the NHS, and that we don’t leverage our skills and capabilities across the whole of the region and across different diseases.

“Our ambition is to solve this by harnessing and building on the collective expertise we have, and working together to develop the very best approaches to address the health needs of Greater 91ֱ��. By working collectively across healthcare providers, academia and industry – more closely than ever before – we can see the potential to accelerate the discovery and development of new innovations and transform the health of our population.”

Councillor Cliff Morris, lead on health for (GMCA), said: “This approach complements and supports our devolution objectives and ambitions around integrated health and social care – allowing people to have more control of their own health – while taking pressure off hospitals and boosting work in the community.”

Sir Richard Leese, lead on growth for GMCA, said: “All these developments are based on firm foundations. Greater 91ֱ�� is already recognised as being in the top three UK life science clusters with almost 11,500 people working in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology businesses.

“World-class strengths include a strong research-led university base, six major teaching hospitals, a successful record of clinical trials, rich history of innovation and a wide industrial base. It also has the only accredited Academic Health Science Centre in the UK outside the South East, which is a powerful platform to widen Greater 91ֱ��’s business base and growth.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “This partnership will allow new medical discoveries by University of Manchester researchers to have patient benefit much faster, something which is of critical importance to the major health challenges we face as a city. We already work closely with our NHS and industry partners, but HIM means that ideas can move much more quickly from the lab to having an impact on people in Greater 91ֱ��, and ultimately around the world.”

NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said: "91ֱ�� has a proud history of world-leading breakthroughs in medicine and science and this approach will accelerate future gains for patients, hospitals, universities and employers across the region."

Northern brains undervalued at £8.75 per head, say researchers

Mon, 18 May 2015 16:01:00 +0100

University of Manchester researchers have shown that government spending on research in ‘the Northern Powerhouse’ is increasing at only a third of the rate of that in the south.

In a letter published in the Lancet, the researchers use Office for National Statistics data to show that per head and adjusted for inflation, the population in London, the east and south-east received an increase of £3.02 per person in government funding for research between 2012 and 2013, compared with a rise of only 99p in the north west and north east.

This shows that the gap in investment is growing and the figure now stands at £8.75 per person in the north and £60.18 in the south east, London and east. This appears to be out of tune with the Chancellor’s vision announced in 2014 to “make the cities of the north a powerhouse for our economy again – with new transport and science and powerful city governance.”

Lead researcher, from the University’s in said: “Our work identified a large and growing disparity in funds spent on research in two different parts of the UK. We drew attention to the contrast between the south-east and the north of England because of the high profile that the latter region has had recently, for example with the plans for devolution in Greater 91ֱ��.

“A complete analysis of research spending across different UK regions was not undertaken. Our main aim is to draw attention to the fact that the Office for National Statistics data at least allows such comparisons to be made. 91ֱ�� of the links between research, innovation, better jobs and improving population health will be assisted by this ONS data, and this will directly help our own research in the Centre for Epidemiology.”

, Director of the Centre for Epidemiology at The University of Manchester, said: “The gap between funding is already large but these figures show it is also growing. In the North, we already have some of the greatest inequalities in health outcomes. If the government wants to build the economy and reduce inequalities in the North then it needs work to bring parity to this situation and encourage innovation.”

The figures were calculated by taking the total funding in 2012 and 2013 and dividing this by the total population of the regions assessed. Figures were adjusted for inflation.

Dr Verma said: “Targeted funding for innovation has been shown to drive strategic objectives. There’s currently a feedback loop in operation in England where more funding for the south drives ever greater increases. If the government really wants to push the idea of a Northern Powerhouse, addressing the large and growing disparity in funding will make a difference across all sectors.”

The letter: ‘, appeared in the Lancet.

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City appoints new director of healthcare innovation

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:00:00 +0100

The University of Manchester’s Professor Jackie Oldham has been appointed by the city in a new role to make 91ֱ�� a leading centre for healthcare business and innovation.

Part of the role will be to promote the collective 91ֱ�� offering to create a super cluster of global companies, SME’s and start-ups, co-located with world-class universities and NHS facilities, resources and expertise to attract inward investment.

She said: “The vision is to for this city become a globally recognised centre that attracts the best companies, innovators and investors, is a place of discovery and invention and that fast tracks development of new healthcare innovations to improve the lives of citizens in 91ֱ�� and beyond.”

Dr Conor Mulrooney is Chief Operating Officer of , a company based at 91ֱ�� Science Partnerships which develops treatments for dysphagia – a serious condition where people are unable to swallow in a safe or controlled way after brain injury. He described how he welcomed this initiative as a collective approach to health innovation in 91ֱ�� could help address some of the challenges small companies face including: fast track assessments of new technologies coming to market and support in building the necessary health economic value arguments to drive their widespread adoption.

He commented, “91ֱ�� has world class healthcare and academic resources with huge potential to support small businesses. The main challenge is to organise access to them in a simple and practical way. This new development is definitely a step in the right direction.”

The new plans for 91ֱ�� build on systems already in place in Boston, USA where institutions such as Harvard, MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital have linked successfully with healthcare and businesses to create one of the world’s leading bio-health innovation centres. Links with Boston build on Professor Oldham’s existing role as Director of Manchester: Integrating Medicine and Innovative Technology (MIMIT), the 1^st international affiliate of CIMIT in Boston, USA.

Reflecting on her new role, said: “We want the best companies, investors, innovators and entrepreneurs to be attracted to 91ֱ�� to work with us and create a health innovation super cluster to develop new innovations at pace and scale. This is an ambitious plan but by working together we can harness our resources to maximum effect.”

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of , said: "91ֱ�� is already a hub for medical research, treatment and innovation and where we have existing strengths we are keen to build on them to create something truly globally distinctive.

“We want to make sure Greater 91ֱ��'s devolution deal, and in particular arrangements to integrate health and social care with decisions being taken in the area rather than remotely, provide a platform for further growth.

“I'm confident that this new initiative, and Professor Oldham's role in it, will contribute towards these goals."

Notes for editors

Media enquiries to:
Jamie Brown
Media Relations Officer
The University of Manchester
Tel: 0161 2758383
Email: jamie.brown@manchester.ac.uk

University welcomes integration of health and social care in Greater 91ֱ��

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:08:00 +0000

The University of Manchester has welcomed the news of proposals for the integration of health and social care services in Greater 91ֱ��, providing more opportunities for the benefit of local people.

President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “A distinctive feature of Greater 91ֱ��’s way of working is the close co-operation between local authorities, universities and healthcare providers.

“For a long time people, including many of the leading researchers at the University, have been calling for health systems in the UK to be more joined up – ensuring that the care given is more effective and an efficient use of resources. This proposal appears to open up this possibility for our region.

“While there is much yet to be done, this presents new opportunities for us to work with our partners to improve health for the people of Greater 91ֱ��, identify new avenues of research and provide new opportunities for our students and graduates.”

Greater 91ֱ�� has some of the poorest health outcomes in England with low life expectancy, and high rates of obesity, heart disease and cancer. The University is active in addressing all of these issues, with researchers developing new treatments, influencing policy and practise and conducting public awareness campaigns.

As part of this, the University is a member of the – alongside six NHS organisations – which aims to effectively link researchers across the city-region with patients and healthcare providers to deliver the latest research effectively.

The University also works with leading charitable funders of research, such as Cancer Research UK, to deliver cutting-edge research into issues like , which are major global health priorities.

Dame Nancy believes that the devolution proposals for Greater 91ֱ�� could allow this integrated process to flourish further. She said: “Clearly there is a lot more work to be done on how this new system would look and how it will operate in practise, but if all of the organisations involved continue to work together as closely as they do now, then Greater 91ֱ�� has the opportunity to be one of the country’s best providers of joined-up care.”

Notes for editors

Media enquiries to:
Jamie Brown
Media Relations Officer
The University of Manchester
Tel: 0161 2758383
Email: jamie.brown@manchester.ac.uk

New tool maps England's climate change hotspots

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +0000

University of Manchester researchers have worked on the new website which aims to support fairer decision-making and policy creation on climate change.

The impacts of climate change will not be equal or fair and, without action, could increase existing disadvantage. This message was reinforced in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment report . And now for the first time in England, on a publicly available website, we are able to see this effect mapped across the country at a neighbourhood level. Climate Just, a powerful new website with mapping tool, has been launched today by Climate UK and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in partnership with the Environment Agency and the University of Manchester.

The website aims to help practitioners in England to address issues of social disadvantage and climate change. It provides detailed mapping of ‘hot spots’ across the country, and a huge amount of supporting information, tools and resources to support fairer decision-making and policy creation.

Climate Just has been developed to support people working with vulnerable groups in a range of public services and other agencies. In particular, it will provide assistance to people working in spatial planning, housing, public health, social care, and environment roles as well as local resilience fora.

Katharine Knox, Programme Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “Climate change risks compounding existing disadvantage and inequality in the UK. We want to support those with a role in responses to better understand how to take account of these issues. The Climate Just website highlights both what makes people vulnerable and which places may be most climate disadvantaged. We hope this will help organisations to better understand the issues and the actions they can take to respond, whether through community engagement and awareness raising to increase resilience, or direct measures for example to improve flood protection or tackle fuel poverty”.

Mike Peverill, Director of Climate UK, said: “This is an important new resource for tackling climate change in the UK and we have been privileged to manage its development. Climate Just enables us to develop local responses that are fair for everyone, as well as reducing our emissions and increasing resilience. As was highlighted in the Marmot Review, ‘tackling social inequalities in health and tackling climate change must go together’.”

“Climate UK’s network of public service providers are already dedicated to tackling the issue of climate change. Climate Just gives them the evidence and tools to refine those responses and ensure that they are socially just.”

Kit England, Chair of the Core Cities Working Group on Climate Resilience and Adaptation, and who works for climate resilience at Newcastle City Council, said: “The Core Cities are delighted that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have undertaken this work. Climate Just is a fantastic resource that will enable councils to understand the climate disadvantage in their area and respond accordingly, planning for a changing climate whilst also creating a more equal society.”

“Tackling inequalities is a big priority for Newcastle and the City Council has been fortunate to help advise on the tool’s development and pilot the evidence in a range of uses; its accessibility and clarity makes it very straightforward to apply to a range of scenarios such as flood risk management and local planning.”

Notes for editors

Notes for editors:

1. Climate Just is a free, publicly available resource and can be accessed at

2. A launch event will be held at Bristol Aquarium on 4 February 2015, 12.30-16.00, Chaired by Daniel Johns, Head of Adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change. Please contact kristen.guida@climatesoutheast.org.uk to register interest in attending.

3. The information and mapping provided in Climate Just is based on research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), supported by the Environment Agency, and carried out by the University of Manchester, with additional input from the Centre for Sustainable Energy. Further information on the original research programme can be found on the JRF website.

4. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is a funder of research for social change in the UK. We aim to reduce poverty and strengthen communities for all generations. For more information visit .

5. Climate UK (registered as Climate Partnership UK) has created the Climate Just website, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in association with Creative Concern and the University of Manchester’s Geographic Information Systems specialists. Climate UK will also host the new website, where it will join a growing family of tools for local climate action.

6. Climate UK is the national face of local climate action. We facilitate a bottom-up, nationwide response to climate change and extreme weather by bringing together knowledge and technical expertise from every part of the UK to tackle the challenges and opportunities we face. We are the network of nine climate change partnerships in England and the three devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Climate UK is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (registered as Climate Partnership UK in 2011, no. 07706735).

7. The Marmot Review, undertaken by Professor Sir Michael Marmot ‘ Fair Society, Healthy Lives’ was published in 2010. It can be accessed on the Institute of Health Equality website.

8. Core Cities is a unique and united local authority voice to promote the role of our cities in driving economic growth and the case for city devolution. We represent the councils of England’s eight largest city economies outside London along with Glasgow and Cardiff. The Core Cities Group has a track record of 15 years as a cross party group, led by the City Leaders. It is a self selected and self funded group.

Media enquiries to:

Deborah Lintom
Media Relations Officer
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester
Tel: 0161 275 8257, 07789 948 783

Tom Peters
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Tel: 020 7520 2080, 07972 773 963

Lord Heseltine opens biggest ever Policy Week

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:11:00 +0000

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Heseltine opened the University’s biggest ever Policy Week with a topical address on the power of devolution in tackling deprivation and boosting aspiration in cities

Lord Heseltine spoke to an audience of 200 at 91ֱ�� Town Hall at the start of Policy Week 2014 which is this year delivering a series of public lectures, debates and workshops under the theme ‘Addressing Inequalities’.

The former secretary of state has become a champion of cities, regional devolution and regeneration and spoke on the day that Greater 91ֱ�� signed an historic devolution deal with HM Treasury.

His lecture, entitled ‘The Forgotten People’, recounted his days as a secretary of state overseeing the budget for the regeneration of Manchester’s Hulme estate, the responsibilities of local government in building ladders of aspiration and the ongoing journey towards “now unstoppable devolution”.

Lord Heseltine is author of the 2012 government-commissioned review ‘No Stone Unturned: in pursuit of growth’ which highlighted the need to boost growth outside London and decentralise public spending. Speaking on Monday night about the need to reform the relationship between regional and central government, he said: “The machinery between local government and Whitehall is not up to the job.”

He described the devolution deal struck by the Greater 91ֱ�� Combined Authority as “one of most important days in Mcr's long & distinguished career”.

His enthusiastic endorsement of empowering public sector stakeholders to forge their own destinies and tackle the inequalities on their doorstep kicked off a packed week of events hosted by policy@manchester with the aim of showcasing the University’s place at the policy table.

Further information

Devolution promises could be game-changer, finds BES

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:00:00 +0100

Many Scots want more devolution, but think those additional powers will be achieved without independence, according to new data released by the British Election 91ֱ�� (BES).

The findings by Professor Ed Fieldhouse from The University of Manchester, who Co-directs the BES, reveal that half of voters think more powers will be achieved, even if Scotland votes ‘No’.

The research is published three-months to referendum polling day.

As the Yes and No campaigns reach the finishing straight, the Conservatives, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats have all emphasised their commitment to more devolution should Scotland choose to remain in the Union. BES data suggest this could pay-off on September 18th.

Of the BES sample, 41% wanted more powers but thought it would happen anyway. Of those, only 35% said they would vote ‘Yes’ in September. By contrast, of those who wanted more powers but did not expect it, 71% intended to vote yes.

Professor Fieldhouse said: “Our data shows that wanting more devolution is not sufficient on its own to achieve support for independence. It has to be accompanied by a belief that it will not be achieved in the Union.”

The BES, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and run by a consortium of Manchester, Oxford and Nottingham Universities, conducted an internet panel survey of over 4000 Scottish voters between 20th February and 9th March this year.

Professor Fieldhouse said: “While much remains unclear, the possibility of a vote for independence is already re-shaping the future powers of the Scottish Parliament with three months to go.

“Our data suggests that what really matters is not just the level of support for more devolution, but the extent to which supporters of further powers think their aspirations will be met within the Union.

“Half of voters, we find, think that more devolution will happen even if Scotland votes ‘No’.”

He added: “The Yes Scotland campaign has two related problems: First, many voters are convinced their demands will be satisfied within the Union. Second, even among those who do not expect the Union to satisfy their wishes, a substantial minority say they would vote ‘No’ anyway or are undecided.”

According to the BES a majority of Scottish voters want the most important powers to rest with the Scottish Parliament in all policy domains except defence.

A significant minority of voters wanting more tax and welfare powers intend to vote No, potentially affecting voting intentions in the coming three months before September 18th 2014.

Notes for editors

All data form British Election 91ֱ�� Internet Panel wave 1 collected between 20th February and 9th March 2014. The next survey is currently being fielded.

The questions were:
• If Scotland votes to remain part of the United Kingdom, *should* the Scottish Parliament have more powers than it does at present, fewer powers, or should the Parliament's powers stay about the same as they are now.
• And if Scotland votes to remain part of the United Kingdom, do you think that the powers devolved to the Scottish parliament *will* change?

Visit

The BES is one of the longest running election studies world-wide and the longest running social science survey in the UK. It has made a major contribution to the understanding of political attitudes and behaviour over fifty years.

The 2015 BES is run by a consortium of the Universities of Manchester (Professor Ed Fieldhouse, Professor Jane Green and Professor Hermann Schmitt), Oxford (Professor Geoffrey Evans, Nuffield College) and Nottingham (Professor Cees van der Eijk).

The BES work on powers attitudes is part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Future of the UK and Scotland activities to inform the referendum debate and the policy environment whatever the outcome. For more details visit Follow @ukscotland

Professor Fieldhouse is available for comment

For media enquires contact:

Mike Addelman
Press Officer
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester
0161 275 0790
07717 881567
Michael.addelman@manchester.ac.uk