Following a multi-million pound grant from UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, colleagues from Loughborough University, alongside project leaders from Nottingham Trent University, will carry out a new project which should accelerate innovation in health and care pathways and transform the way people recover and regain their independence and functions after an injury or illness.

As people live longer and chronic health problems increase, the demand for rehabilitation technology, or “RehabTech,” is skyrocketing.

The ‘EMERGE’ project – East Midlands Emerging RehabTech Growth Enterprise – will establish the East Midlands as the UK’s ‘RehabTech Valley’, a leading hub for rehabilitation technology excellence.

The University of Nottingham and the University of Derby will co-lead, supported by a 30-strong consortium of research and innovation organisations, medical technology and health organisations, the NHS, local government and development economic.

The project will connect the regional group of 459 medtech SMEs, addressing current challenges related to slowing productivity, access to skills, clinical partnerships and private investment.

It will create mechanisms for engagement between business, academia, the NHS and patients and accelerate the development and availability of RehabTech.

It will translate theoretical advances and proof-of-concept ideas into cutting-edge innovations in areas such as sensors and imaging, medical device materials and design, smart medical wearables, bioengineering, robotics and artificial intelligence.

As well as supporting the recovery and helping people regain their independence, the move is expected to have a significant economic impact, boosting regional growth and productivity and enabling SMEs to secure a growing share of a growing market fast.

Dr André Capelproject leader at Loughborough University, said: “The East-Midlands has established a reputation as a national leader in rehabilitation science, with ambitions to become a global beacon of excellence in this discipline.

“Loughborough University, alongside partners at the University of Nottingham, has played a central role in the research and innovation and education and training programs delivered through the National Rehabilitation Center ( NRC), a £105m, 70-bed center of excellence being built on the Stanford campus. Hall Estate.

“The “EMERGE” project led by Nottingham Trent University (East Midlands Emerging RehabTech Growth Enterprise), alongside the EPSRC-funded Rehabilitation Technologies Network (RTN) and the NIHR-funded HealthTech Research Center (HRC), has firmly cemented the East Midlands’ position as the UK’s research hub. “RehabTech Valley”.

“These networks bring together hundreds of MedTech SMEs, patients, rehabilitation practitioners and academics to develop the next wave of pioneering rehabilitation technologies, delivering better healthcare outcomes for our country.”

Work will also involve ensuring that public and patient participation is integrated into activities and projects aimed at best tackling health inequalities.

Health inequalities are widening in the East Midlands and preventable illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are worse in the region’s towns than the UK average.

Even though disadvantaged communities are 60% more likely to suffer long-term health problems than wealthier ones, they still face significant barriers to accessing rehabilitation services that would speed recovery and return to work.

The East Midlands is well placed to address these issues, with the region now seen as at the forefront of regeneration and associated technologies, recognized by the Government’s £105m investment in the National Rehabilitation Centerwhich is located in Nottinghamshire and will be managed and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Notes to editors

Press release reference number: 24/196