A new health and social care ecosystem has been launched which will encourage and enable partnership working between academia, industry, councils and the NHS in the North West.

The ecosystem, which launched on June 26^th, is being supported by the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network in partnership with the European Connected Health Alliance.

It will act as a catalyst to bring together representatives from the NHS, local councils, academic organisations and industry – helping them to work together to tackle health challenges by encouraging the uptake of connected technological healthcare solutions.

Dr Liz Mear, CEO of the NWC AHSN, said: “The new ecosystem will allow people working in the NHS, councils, business and academia to access a diverse, skilled network and benefit from the resulting synergies and partnerships.

“The ecosystem is part of a vibrant international healthcare community of other ecosystems and we’re really keen for people working in the healthcare sector in the North West to have the opportunity to tap into resource explore the benefits of working collaboratively utilising innovative connected healthcare technology.

“This sort of collaborative partnership working across sectors has potential to shape and improve the future of health and social care services in the region and we’re excited to be taking this step on that journey with the launch of this ecosystem.”

The Ecosystem is part of an international network with groups already established across the globe and will operate as part of the European Connected Health Alliance International Network of Connected Health Ecosystems.