West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has brought forward a plan for West Yorkshire Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone.
It has indicated that it will make £80 million available over five years and expects to leverage over £220 million of public and private sector investment.
The package will bring together hospitals, universities and businesses for research and development of new healthcare technologies.
The investment zone will centre around three clusters: the Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford; a National Health Innovation Campus at the University of Huddersfield; and a HealthTech Innovation Hub in Leeds.
The latter will provide the flagship project of the investment zone with the development of the first phase of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s innovation village on the site of Leeds General Infirmary.
Economic incentive
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “For the UK economy to prosper it needs West Yorkshire to succeed, and devolution is helping us empower our healthtech and digital sectors, transforming the lives of patients worldwide.
“This multi-million pound investment will help us build world-leading centres of innovation in Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds, bringing together our universities, businesses and hospitals to drive the development of lifechanging technologies and deliver thousands of skilled jobs.
“Through our investment zone, we’re changing our region for the long term, working with partners and the government to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all”.
