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Health Tech and Med Tech

Get in touch

For more information or to get in touch to find out how you can support the Health Tech and Med Tech Cluster please email planforgrowth@wmca.org.uk.

The West Midlands boasts the largest network of medical technology service and supply companies in the UK, boasting a dynamic community of approximately 1,200 businesses, healthcare providers, and academic institutions across the region. Our mission is to foster a fully integrated, thriving ecosystem that advances the Health and Life Sciences sector through strategic collaboration.

The HealthTech Cluster provides a bird's eye view of regional activities, serving as an honest broker to connect the dots across our network. This is crucial in a landscape where universities and healthcare sectors, such as the NHS, face immense challenges and competition. Our objective is to enhance connectivity and understanding, enabling seamless collaborations that address these challenges.

Our goal is to make the region's ecosystem more cohesive and interconnected. As one of the UK's most technologically advanced sectors, navigating the Health and Life Sciences field can be daunting. We simplify this process by acting as the gateway to the region, promoting economic growth through the strategic co-location of organisations, knowledge, skills, and facilities. Our core values—Engage, Listen, Amplify, Connect—guide our every action.

From an original idea to full-scale implementation, we provide tailored support to ensure businesses navigate the ecosystem effectively. We understand the critical touchpoints and offer hands-on assistance at every phase of your journey.

Historically, our region experienced fragmentation and internal competition. Today, we collaborate closely with other programmes, enhancing our network's cohesion and effectiveness. We not only refer clients within our network, but also receive referrals, facilitating a mutual growth environment focused on adoption, uptake, and scaling.

Opportunity

Our community network extends globally, attracting multinational corporations interested in the significant opportunities our region offers. These collaborations highlight the intrinsic value of our sector and encourage further investment into the area.

A prime opportunity currently unfolding is the development of a state-of-the-art health and med-tech hub for the entire region. This exciting initiative is set to launch with the opening of BHIC No. 1 in 2024, a project born from a longstanding partnership between the University of Birmingham, Bruntwood SciTech, and closely aligned with Birmingham Health Partners. This hub represents a critical step forward in consolidating our region's reputation as a leader in health and medical technology.

Regional Competitive Advantage

Through collaboration, we are bridging the distance between our region and major innovation hubs like Cambridge, London, and Oxford.

Our region stands out due to a potent mix of exceptional NHS and scientific infrastructure, robust business acumen, and pioneering research and innovation. These elements uniquely position us at the forefront of the health sector.

We are at the cutting edge of the four Ds of healthcare:

  • Data-driven care
  • Devices
  • Diagnostics
  • Digital health

Advances in AI and machine learning are revolutionizing early diagnostics and clinical interventions, while our strides in medical imaging and cell and gene therapy are paving the way for customized treatments.

We invite you to join us in making a transformative impact on one of the UK's leading industrial sectors. Together, we can unlock tremendous potential and spearhead the next wave of advancements in medical technology and healthcare.