Deloitte is launching a Health Tech Catalyst in Birmingham that will be a collaborative platform for those responsible for developing, or investing in digital solutions for frontline care.
Its aim is to accelerate health tech innovation in the Midlands and beyond, which could ultimately improve people’s health and wellbeing.
The decision to base the Health Tech Catalyst in Birmingham comes as the region acknowledges the importance of the sector in its economic recovery, and is recognised as being ideally placed to respond to the health care challenges facing the UK.
The virtual launch event this week includes leading industry figures such as Paul Maubach (Black Country and West Birmingham CCG), Professor Sultan Mahmud (Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust), Dr Umang Patel (Babylon Health) and Tracy Westall (West Midlands 5G and Bruntwood SciTech Birmingham board member).
Whilst regionally-based, the Catalyst will also engage with local, national and international partners to bring together researchers, industry and the NHS to create more commercial opportunities for innovators.
Led by Gus Miah, partner and head of healthcare at Deloitte in the Midlands, and supported by a team of more than 100 experts from across Deloitte, the Catalyst will provide a programme of virtual events, insights from industry experts, and workshops; on areas including procurement, funding and sustainable supply chain management.
Gus Miah, Deloitte partner and head of the Health Tech Catalyst, said: “This year we have seen just how vital digital solutions are for organisations and individuals. Whilst the digitisation of healthcare isn’t a new concept, we know from experience how difficult it can be to develop and deploy new innovations quickly and safely into frontline health care.
“We wanted to identify a way in which we could help accelerate that process, overcome barriers to growth for health tech companies whilst also helping support healthcare providers. The Catalyst is our way of using our experience and connections to bring all the different components together in order to benefit all.”
Tim Pile, who chairs both the West Midlands Strategic Economic Development Board and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Innovation in healthcare technologies presents a huge opportunity for growth both regionally and nationally.
“Greater Birmingham is already home to world class facilities and expertise and a growing cluster of innovative med-tech businesses and entrepreneurs. With strengths in clinical trials, digital technologies and data the region is well positioned to develop new technologies to improve health outcomes in a global marketplace.
“As a partnership of the private, public and education sectors, LEPs promote collaboration between sectors as key to enabling increased demand-led innovation and unlocking our region’s full growth potential. The launch of the Health Tech Catalyst is an exciting and very welcome development, further cementing our place as a global centre of excellence in healthcare technologies and innovation.’’
Matt Henderson, UK regional lead, life sciences and healthcare at Deloitte, added: “Accelerating the adoption of digital health technologies could ultimately improve quality of life for citizens, and improve the productivity of the healthcare ecosystem.
“Deloitte works closely with public bodies and private sector businesses in the health tech space, from SMEs to global organisations. Access to funding, talent and developing clinical partnerships are all common challenges for growing health tech businesses. By bringing technology, healthcare and public sector organisations together, the Catalyst aims to empower these organisations to create and scale new digital solutions.”