Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance
Enabling health and medical research, innovation and economic development in Plymouth and the South West
The Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance (PHIA) is an interdisciplinary, cross-sector partnership dedicated to developing the profile of and maximising opportunities for health-related research, innovation, knowledge exchange, research and development led business growth and inward investment in Plymouth and the South West region.
Centred on Plymouth’s Health Innovation Campus and co-ordinated by the University of Plymouth, the partnership brings together Plymouth City Council, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, South West Academic Health Science Network, Plymouth Science Park, businesses, health and care organisations, public sector bodies and the third sector, to enhance collaboration and put the region on the health innovation map.
Plymouth: a national centre for health research, innovation and enterprise
Economic recovery
Health innovation ecosystem
Digital health technology
Healthy ageing
Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance: Working together
Developing research, collaboration and funding opportunities for the alliance network
UoP’s Plymouth Institute of Health & Care Research (PIHR) • UoP and UHPNT Joint Research Office • South West AHSN Innovation pipeline • PCC business support grants and facilities
Connecting the health innovation cluster in Plymouth
Establishment of a network of health innovators • Collaboration opportunities
Utilisation of assets and facilities on the Plymouth Health Innovation campus
Support to access relevant infrastructure and resources, including Plymouth Science Park, Health Tech Innovation Hub, UoP Derriford Research Facility and UoP Peninsula Medical School
Showcasing excellence and providing opportunities on a regional, national and potentially international scale
Promotional opportunities through Alliance executive • Alliance network events • Regional, national and international promotion by the Alliance
Access to markets in the key anchor institutions
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust – Innovation Team, trials, facilities • University of Plymouth – research, knowledge, expertise and facilities • Plymouth City Council – business growth support
Providing a gateway service and advocacy for Plymouth life science organisations
Single route for information, advice and guidance for organisations on their development journey
Gateway for health innovation adoption...
Distinct demographic
The South West’s unique population characteristics – rural, ageing and static– present the ideal platform from which to develop products and services of national and international significance.
Therefore, health technology innovation is focused on primary and social care and patient self-care management, including new clinical treatments, disease interventions and monitoring.
Vibrant research community
University of Plymouth researchers work closely with the NHS Trusts and have deep roots in the healthcare needs of the region. With a reputation for exceptional clinical learning, strong social engagement and world-class research, it is one of the largest providers of graduates for the health and social care sector with an annual research income of over £4.5 million.
The University’s Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) incorporates the the Centre for Health Technology which drives the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative products and services to transform health and social care, and the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit (PenCTU) which conducts world-class multi-centre clinical trials.
Health innovation focus
Plymouth's Health Innovation Campus looks after over 60% of the City’s healthcare provision, supporting over 6,000 jobs with another 1,000 in the supply chain. Alongside the Trust, the University’s Derriford Research Facility, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit and Plymouth Allied Health Care, there are already 27 medical companies based at the City's Plymouth Science Park. The region is a hot spot for social enterprise activity in the UK. In Plymouth alone, there are around 150 social enterprises that employ around 7,000 employees.
Rapid route into the health innovation ecosystem
Working with our partners, we have a proven track record in overcoming key sector challenges in early health innovation adoptions: providing access to research expertise for evaluative purposes, end-user and health services engagement and market assessment.
Our regional innovation adoption environment includes all NHS Trusts, GP practices, care homes, commissioners, patients and end-users as well as voluntary and charitable groups and researchers, which allows us to effectively develop, evaluate and apply sustainable solutions to the healthcare challenges of the 21st century.
Plymouth's Health Innovation Campus
Plymouth's Health Innovation Campus is the central component of the City's health research, innovation and economy activity, taking advantage of the existing geographical co-location of many of the City's health innovation assets and expertise that encompass Plymouth Science Park, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, and Plymouth Medical and Technology Park.
Explore the breath of facilities and buildings that utilise the South West's clinical workforce and cross-sector skills base to develop health innovation and enterprise capacity.
Alliance helps bring Lighthouse COVID-19 testing lab to Plymouth
A new £20 million COVID-19 testing Lighthouse Laboratory has opened in Estover, Plymouth, converting a former engineering warehouse into a high-tech lab and creating ~400 jobs locally.
The Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance was instrumental in securing the facility following a visit to the city by the Department of Health and Social Care, hosted by Plymouth Science Park. The high-tech facility will receive swabs from across the UK and perform PCR tests as part of the national response to the pandemic. The site will also provide a lasting legacy with future opportunities for the scientific community through a combination of expertise and laboratory assets.
Contact the Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance
For general enquiries
Plymouth Health Innovation Alliance, c/o University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
