Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) has joined The Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), paving the way for increased research collaboration and innovation opportunities for the Trust.

TEWV is the second mental health trust to join the NHSA, which brings together 24 research active NHS Trusts and universities across the North and the four Northern AHSNs.

The NHSA works closely with its members to promote the North’s thriving life science sector to increase awareness of and drive investment into the Northern Powerhouse. As an Associate Member, TEWV will benefit from a range of opportunities through the NHSA’s joint research partnerships, advocacy, business development and international and national programmes.

The research and development team at TEWV is keen to expand its offer of new and innovative research opportunities and has a vision of becoming a natural laboratory and testbed for research, implementation and innovation within and beyond the NHS.

Professor Joe Reilly, Clinical Director for research and development at TEWV, said: “I’m delighted that Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is joining the Northern Health Science Alliance as an Associate Member. As a mental health trust, we have a great deal to gain from the NHSA’s national and international reach, and its success in bringing together academic and clinical collaborations to deliver high-quality research and innovation to the North.

“Together with acute hospital colleagues, we hope to help bridge the gap between physical and mental health, and improve the mental health and well-being of people in our regions and beyond.”

TEWV provides a range of mental health and learning disability services across a large part of Northern England (County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire). Applied mental health research is a strong focus for the Trust with key research interests including physical and mental health integration in both common mental health disorders and severe mental illness. It is also leading on studies in primary care mental health and prevention, as well as workforce research.

Nicola Wilson, Interim Chief Executive at the NHSA, said: “We are pleased to welcome Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to the NHSA as the second mental health trust to join the Alliance.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating with the TEWV team to explore how we can support their vision to bridge the gap between physical and mental health.”

Since its inception, the NHSA has brought over £60m worth of contracts to the North of England. It has also been named as a delivery partner in the Government’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Sector deal and revealed over £1bn of investment in the region’s life sciences.