The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) has today (Friday 28 February) launched its proposal to establish the Institute for Preventative Health Research – a pioneering virtual collaboration hub dedicated to transforming healthcare through a shift to a prevention-led health system.

Announced as one of five ‘gamechanger’ policy propositions at the Convention of the North in Preston this week, the Institute proposal has been supported by the steering group of the Convention, including the northern combined authority Metro Mayors.

Building on the North’s existing areas of excellence in health research, innovation and delivery – combined with local government insights – the Institute would drive research that directly improves patient outcomes and the economy in regions where intervention is needed most.

The North of England suffers from disproportionately poor health, with a third of the productivity gap between the North and the South due to worse health in the North – which costs £13.2bn a year in lost GVA.

Evidence suggests that health research leads to better outcomes for patients locally, however despite the clear health need, the North of England suffers from a huge disparity in clinical research funding. Analysis by the NHSA found that the Greater South East received £68.58 funding per person, compared to £25.72 in the North.

The NHSA is proposing a five-year pilot phase for the Institute for Preventative Health Research, to identify and scale up collaborations in key areas of research excellence, led by experts in the North of England.

Over the last 12 months, the NHSA – working closely with Oliver Coppard, the Mayor of South Yorkshire – has brought together a wide range of northern health and policy leaders in a series of workshops and discussions to shape the development of the Institute.

Through these discussions, partners identified key challenges facing the prevention agenda, such as helping people return to and stay health in work, investing in children’s health, developing new innovative technologies and services, providing high quality evidence to inform policy and supporting health equity.

Hannah Davies, Chief Executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: “It’s well evidenced that health research has more impact when delivered in areas of greater need. However, the North of England continues to trail behind other areas of the country when it comes to health research investment, despite having some of the worst health outcomes in the country.

“As the government is looking to shift the focus of the NHS towards preventing sickness and not just treating it, there is a real opportunity to invest in the preventative health research excellence in the North. The expertise, assets, and infrastructure needed to tackle preventable ill health already exist within the northern regions, and the Institute for Preventative Health Research will bring together that excellence to drive the change needed towards the prevention focused healthcare of the future. Not only will this improve the health and lives of people within the North, but it will also help close the UK health and productivity gap.”

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “In South Yorkshire, and across the North of England, we have world class health research and innovation assets and capabilities. But that expertise hasn’t translated into better outcomes for those who need it the most.

“Despite our many strengths, we still have some of the greatest health challenges in the country. So, we need a different approach if we’re going to make sure that those who live here – with the greatest need – can truly benefit from the work that’s happening here.

“The proposed Institute for Preventative Health Research will be a game changer; helping to drive research and innovation that directly improves patient outcomes and the economy in regions where intervention is needed the most, here in the North. Critically, it will help deliver the Government’s ambitions on both health and growth.”

Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, The University of Liverpool, and NHSA Board Chair, said: “It’s clear that there needs to be a seismic shift in the healthcare system that puts prevention at its core if we are to address the long-term health challenges within the country. Nowhere feels these challenges more so than northern communities.

“With investment, the Institute for Preventative Health Research has the potential to make real inroads to tackling these issues through pan-northern collaboration that realises the full potential of our region’s health research, innovation and delivery assets.”