The North East Innovation Lab’s role in reducing health inequalities was one of the key topics of discussion during a recent visit by Sam Allen and Nicola Hutchinson.
The chief executive of North East and North Cumbria NHS and chief executive officer of the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC) joined the lab and Newcastle Hospitals’ business development and enterprise teams for a tour of the lab in the Biosphere, Newcastle Helix.
Our executive director of business, development and enterprise, Victoria McFarlane Red, set out the key milestones and achievements of the lab since it opened in January 2021 and explained how our commercial team is supporting the lab’s business objectives for growth beyond Covid-19.
The lab’s principal scientist Dr Caroline Wilson and senior scientist Dr Donna Nile showcased the team’s work to accelerate the development of next generation diagnostics and highlighted the lab’s biobank of 20,000 clinical samples, which enable the team to ‘test the tests’ which are under production by industry developers.
Sam and Nicola were particularly interested in discussing the development of community diagnostic hubs across the region, and the need for an innovative, integrated regional diagnostic strategy; collaborative partnership working and the role the lab has in reducing health inequalities.
They also spoke about the importance of a more representative workforce and how the lab was a great example of women working in science.
You can read more in Sam’s Integrated Care Board update here.
Watch our video about the lab.
