Around 100 businesses attended an event organised by the new Health Innovation Campus at Lancaster University for an exciting look at the future of healthcare.

Push the Boundaries: Innovation in Health featured a panel of experts discussing how new data, digital practices and technological innovations are already being used to improve patient care – and the many upcoming opportunities in the sector.

The debate also covered valuable lessons around the risks and rewards of implementing digital technologies, funding issues and bringing products and services to market.

Highlights included a talk from Keith Mitchell, Vice President of Engineering at Push Doctor, a commercial online GP consultation service which has become one of Europe’s fastest growing clinical networks. Margaret Cooper, Associate Director of Clinical Research and Innovation at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, gave an engaging talk on how the trust is looking to work with businesses.

Presentations from Lancaster University’s Data Science Institute and ImaginationLancaster highlighted how the institution can collaborate with businesses on exciting health initiatives.

Dr Sherry Kothari, Director of the Health Innovation Campus – who opened the event, said: “This event showcased the kind of innovations which are currently taking place in the health space – while providing information which could help companies move forward with their own projects.

“We had high levels of interest from local organisation across an interesting mix of industry and health providers, proving the appetite for engaging with this sector.

“From the presentations themselves, and discussions afterwards, it confirmed that service transformation in health will require innovative ideas and expertise from diverse stakeholders, including traditional practitioners, as well as those from industry.

“Following the event, we have had some really worthwhile conversations where we were able to offer support and discuss potential projects the health innovation team may work on in the future.”

Networking sessions saw members of the health innovation team on hand to discuss ERDF-funded business support available to Lancashire businesses with innovative health ideas.

Upcoming two-day workshops are scheduled for 4 and 20 June 2019 and support SMEs who want to develop innovation solutions to health challenges. Applications are also open for businesses to work with the campus’ team of Analyst Developers to develop digital products and services.

To register for workshops, discuss a product or service or find out more about opportunities through Lancaster University’s new Health Innovation Campus, contact the team at business.healthinnovation@lancaster.ac.uk or visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/health-innovation/business