Manchester trust and university join forces with Siemens to spearhead earlier detection of health issues across the region

The capacity to detect cancers and other health conditions that disproportionately affect the Greater Manchester population has been accelerated through a new strategic partnership.

A memorandum of understanding between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Siemens Healthineers and The University of Manchester (UoM), will formalise already close working relationships between the three organisations.

In January 2021, the trust and Siemens Healthineers confirmed a 15-year technology partnership with a value of approximately £125 million. The partnership ensures the provision and replacement of key radiology equipment across nine hospitals.

Key priority areas encompassed by the new agreement include earlier detection and intervention for cancer patients; data-driven approaches to early diagnosis ensuring patients receive the right treatment sooner; and integrative diagnostic approaches for conditions that disproportionately affect the Greater Manchester population, such as heart disease and preventable cancers.

Head of innovation for the trust Dr Katherine Boylan commented: “It will provide a formal framework for joint working, bringing the power of industry, academia and the NHS together to deliver benefit for the populations we serve, enabling us to collaboratively deliver outputs at pace.

“It is widely recognised that there are deep-rooted health inequalities and high levels of long-term conditions across Greater Manchester, and our three organisations are committed to working to address these persisting issues.”

University vice dean covering research and innovation in the faculty of biology, medicine and health Professor Neil Hanley added: “This new partnership is really exciting and further evidence of our strength in working across university, NHS and commercial boundaries to translate research into innovations that make a real difference not just locally, but also out in the wider world. No one partner could do this by themselves, it is true synergy.”

Picture: Vice dean covering research and innovation, faculty of biology, medicine and health at The University of Manchester Professor Neil Hanley, trust head of innovation Dr Katherine Boylan and Siemens Healthineers research collaborations lead Dr Alexandra Olaru.

Published on page 7 of the October 2022 issue of RAD Magazine.