In a major boost to the Liverpool City Region's health and social care sector, nearly £10m is set to be invested in a new Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone (CHI-Zone).
This groundbreaking initiative promises to drive investment, create jobs, and tackle health inequalities, positioning Liverpool as an international hub for cutting-edge health technologies. Investment will focus on three main areas, which are investment and job creation, supporting innovation, as well as training and development.
The CHI-Zone is part of the ambitious 10-year Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone programme, expected to attract up to £800m of public and private investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs. This initiative will drive research and development (R&D), foster collaboration, and promote the efficient use of data and AI.
By developing a HealthTech Design Studio and a care technology testbed, CHI-Zone will provide the necessary expertise and platform for innovation. This will enhance Liverpool's reputation as a leading centre for developing and testing prototypes, encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies.
CHI-Zone will also drive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through R&D collaborations with overseas businesses and universities, contributing to a city region target of raising FDI by 25% by 2030. This international collaboration will not only enhance local health and care systems but also support university researchers in turning their innovations into successful businesses.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, commented:
“This innovative project will place the Liverpool City Region at the heart of global advancements in health and social care technology. It’s another critical step towards tackling health inequalities, driving investment and creating skilled, well-paid jobs for our residents. Through cutting-edge AI and data-driven solutions, we’re not only shaping the future of health care, but also fostering a thriving digital economy that will benefit people and businesses for years to come.”
With input from residents, CHI-Zone aims to ensure that local HealthTech innovations are used to advance the city region’s own health and care systems. This community-driven approach will help design solutions tailored to the specific needs of the region.
The £12.47m CHI-Zone project is set to transform Liverpool into a beacon of health and social care innovation, leveraging the University of Liverpool’s expertise, facilities, and access to research funds. By fostering growth in jobs and businesses, CHI-Zone will play a crucial role in addressing health inequalities and driving economic prosperity in the Liverpool City Region.
Image credit: iStock
