New regional partnership to improve healthcare for patients

A new partnership has been formed by healthcare organisations across Wessex to improve healthcare for patients.

Wessex Health Partners (WHP) is a strategic alliance of organisations in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which aims to accelerate better health and care through research, innovation and training.

The Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU), based at the University of Southampton, is part of the unique partnership, which includes NHS organisations, universities and the region’s health innovation network, Health Innovation Wessex.

The partnership has been officially launched today (13th March) with the signing of a collaboration agreement by the leaders of each of WHP’s founding partners.

The collaboration agreement sets out the commitment made by members to work together to achieve shared ambitions.

These include improving the region’s collective ability to tackle the greatest challenges facing the Wessex health and care system, generating greater collaborative and interdisciplinary research, and speeding the development and adoption of innovation at scale.

Through its established connections with the life sciences industry, WHP also aims to drive economic growth, creating jobs and attracting investment to the region.

Professor Gareth Griffiths, Director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, said:

“The Southampton Clinical Trials Unit is at the forefront of health and medical advancement, designing and conducting world-leading trials of new treatments, working to improve the early diagnosis of diseases, and using the latest innovations in healthcare to personalise the way we treat patients.

“Wessex Health Partners will help to foster greater collaboration between our research partners and enable us to focus on the biggest health challenges in our communities, ultimately benefitting patients across Wessex, the UK and beyond.”

Professor William Rosenberg, Chair of WHP, said:

“With today’s formal launch, our founding members make a commitment to work together as Wessex Health Partners and tackle the health and care challenges experienced locally, but also in the rest of the UK and much of the world.

“From work to create a greener and more sustainable health service, to utilising advances in genomic medicine to support improvements in diagnosis, treatments and prevention, WHP will focus on understanding health and care needs and identifying where research, innovation and training can provide a solution.

“Together, we want to improve the health and wellbeing of our local population, helping people to live happy and healthy lives. With its state-of-the-art research facilities, cutting-edge centres, world-leading researchers and expert innovators, Wessex is an exciting place to deliver research and develop innovations which have global impact.”

Christine McGrath, Managing Director of WHP, added:

“The signing of the collaboration agreement by WHP’s founding partners marks the start of an exciting programme of work, which will see us shine a spotlight on Wessex as a centre of excellence in research, innovation and training.

“Through WHP, we’re creating a vibrant culture for research and innovation, making it easier for individuals and organisations across our region to connect and collaborate, sharing experience, expertise and resources for the benefit of the communities we serve.

“By harnessing our strengths and mobilising the region’s expertise, we’re helping to address local priorities, transform health and care services, and improve health outcomes for our population and wider society.”

To learn more about WHP, visit the website . For regular updates, you can also connect with WHP on LinkedIn and X , or sign up to the mailing list .