Despite the setback of a hospital rebuild delay until 2030, progress continues on a new “innovation village” connected to Leeds General Infirmary. This innovative hub is envisioned to bridge the gap between the city’s universities and the hospital, deemed vital for fostering new technology and medical startups.
When Guarav Chauhan faced a severe car accident, enduring over a year with neck, arm, and knee casts, he experienced discomfort and challenges associated with traditional plaster treatments. Teaming up with engineering graduate Ali Abdi, Chauhan leveraged his ordeal and 3D printing expertise to create a lightweight, waterproof splint. With the support of Nexus Leeds, the collaboration and innovation center at the University of Leeds, they launched Cast3D.
Abdi highlighted the significance of Nexus in enabling collaborations with academics and healthcare institutions, emphasizing that the hub played a key role in advancing their clinical trials. Echoing this sentiment, he stressed the importance of a dedicated space in the city for technological advancements to thrive, underscoring the potential success that the innovation village could bring to emerging technologies.
Since its establishment in 2019, Nexus has facilitated partnerships with 191 companies, with over half focusing on health tech innovation. Notably, Little Journey, an app aiding children in preparing for hospital treatments, has been widely adopted in around 100 hospitals globally. Co-founded by anaesthetist Dr. Chris Evans and Sophie Copley in 2018, the app received crucial support through Nexus, allowing them to navigate funding challenges and develop their product within the healthcare system.
Additionally, Bruno Scaglioni’s team at Atlas Endoscopy has leveraged the resources of the healthcare innovation hub at Nexus to enhance access to colonoscopies using specialized robotic technology employing magnetics. With successful trials in the US, the company aims to conduct a broader trial in the UK this year, attributing their progress to the collaborative ecosystem in Leeds.
The proposed innovation village, slated to span five hectares between Calverley Street and Woodhouse Square around the Old Medical School, is anticipated to generate 4,000 jobs and inject £13 billion into West Yorkshire’s economy. Despite initial concerns over the delay in LGI redevelopment, the city leaders have rallied to ensure the continuity of the innovation district. This collective effort underscores the commitment to driving forward advancements in healthcare and technology within the region.
In a recent statement, James Lewis, the esteemed head of Leeds City Council, expressed unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and bolstering economic growth within the region. With grand visions of establishing an innovation village, Lewis emphasized the pivotal role it would play in cementing Leeds’ stature as a global hub for health-tech advancements.
However, contrasting views emerged from Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, representing Wetherby and Easingwold, who cast doubt on the feasibility of the proposed project. Shelbrooke’s stark declaration of “zero confidence” in the development’s progress resonated through his assertion that “nothing is being built,” painting a starkly different picture of the anticipated transformation.
Anticipation looms over the impending redevelopment of the Old Medical School, set to commence before the year draws to a close. Developers from Scarborough Group International are optimistic about the project’s timeline, aiming to wrap up the ambitious endeavor by mid-2027, marking a significant milestone in the city’s evolution.
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