Healthcare Sector
Healthcare is a leading employer in the region. More than 140,000 people work in biotechnology, healthcare and life science companies, the NHS and associated health organisations. Collectively, these generate an annual turnover of more than £4 billion.
Superb medical research is being carried out in the region’s universities and institutes (including the Institute for Ageing & Health, the Life Knowledge Park and many others). It also has strong clinical capabilities within its hospitals.
Its industrial sector has thriving clusters in diagnostics, medical devices, clinical trials and pharmaceuticals. This features great names such as Avecia, GlaxoSmithKilne, Merck and Sanofi. There are strongly supported regional initiatives in ageing and health, bio-informatics and stem cells.
The Centre for Excellence in Life Sciences (CELS) provides business support services to companies in the region and others moving to the North East. It funds the research network BioNEt, giving ready access to more than 500 life science researchers in universities, hospitals and businsses. It also runs the region’s sector support network – aiding healthcare and biotechnology companies with supply chain, skills and other key issues.
One North East and regional partners are investing in the healthcare sector and driving economic growth by:
- Achieving leadership and recognition in major research fields
- Enabling innovation, diversification and new product development
- Building skills and the potential of businesses to join the supply chains of major companies and the NHS
- Promoting the sector internationally
