A world-class impact accelerator will connect hundreds of East Midlands MedTech SMEs with health and care professionals, academics and the public to drive the design, development and delivery of pioneering rehabilitation technologies.
Nottingham Trent University has been awarded £2.5 million by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to lead the impact accelerator project, which is expected to accelerate innovation into health and care pathways and transform how people recover and regain independence and function following injury or illness.
The ‘EMERGE’ project – East Midlands Emerging RehabTech Growth Enterprise – will launch the East Midlands as the UK’s ‘RehabTech Valley’, a leading hub for rehabilitation technologies excellence.
The University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Derby will co-lead, supported by a 30-strong consortium. The work will span across research and innovation, medical and health tech organisations, the NHS, local government and economic development.
The project will
- Connect the region’s cluster of 459 med-tech SMEs, addressing challenges around productivity, access to skills, clinical partnerships and private investment.
- Create mechanisms for engagement between businesses, academics, the NHS and patients and speed up the development and availability of RehabTech.
- Translate theoretical breakthroughs and proof-of-concept ideas to cutting-edge innovations.
- Support recovery and help people to regain their independence.
- Deliver a significant economic impact, boosting regional growth and productivity.
- Ensure public and patient involvement is embedded in activities and projects to best address health inequalities.
The EMERGE project will be led from Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility. The facility is a dual-site medical devices and advanced materials technology innovation centre.
“This award further supports our ambitions in the theme of Health Innovation where NTU researchers are dedicated to transforming patient and community care outcomes.”
Professor Richard Emes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and International at Nottingham Trent University
Further information regarding the project can be viewed via the NTU website