press release
Published: 22 July 2024

Surrey organisations form innovative partnership to improve health outcomes for county residents

The University of Surrey, Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB), Surrey County Council, and Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) have launched the innovative Surrey Academic Health & Care Partnership (SAHCP), a collaboration designed to improve health outcomes in Surrey through innovation and research.

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Specifically, the SAHCP will provide critical links to research and innovation for existing health and care partners and help support a research-driven health and care ecosystem focused on achieving the best possible health outcomes for the people of Surrey.  

Many strategies are needed to ensure the NHS remains available for future generations. The key to this could be cross-organisational partnerships like the one we have launched with our partners from across the county.

The Surrey Academic Health and Care Partnership is much needed and will give Surrey a chance to tackle issues such as the fragmented health system, our ageing population, and increasing costs.

With our proven track record of research, innovation and positive health outcomes across our Faculity of Health and Medical Sciences – which includes specialisms across the fields of human health, psychology, biosciences and how we live and work with animals, and incorporates our new Surrey School of Medicine. I am delighted that the University is so well-placed to play a key role in this partnership. Professor Paul Townsend, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

The new partnership will bring those involved into a formal body to facilitate greater connections to research and innovation. The Partnership will help tackle issues in population health, social care and primary care, as well as maintain close collaboration with local acute hospital providers. 

Health Innovation KSS are excited to welcome the development of the Surrey Academic Health and Care Partnership with NHS Surrey Heartlands, Surrey Council, and the University of Surrey. This significant collaboration will enable focus on research and innovation for local health and care challenges, designed around key priorities of moving health and care closer to the community, with prevention and the use of technology a focus. Dr Hatim Abdulhussein, Chief Executive Officer, Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex
Surrey Heartlands is excited about the prospects that this new Academic Health and Care Partnership can bring for the residents of Surrey.

Our emerging clinical strategy recognises the importance of keeping people healthy and supporting residents in managing their conditions so they don't need to be admitted to hospital. Defining new ways of treating patients through research and innovation will be key to delivering this strategy and making sure we can cope with increasing demand.

Bringing together partners in academia, the local authority and others with external innovators will support us on this journey and help us deliver the most up-to-date healthcare for local people. Professor Andrew Rhodes, Joint Chief Medical Officer, Surrey Heartlands ICB

A key first step is the launch of a £300,000 funding pot, which will be used to fund a range of evidence-based projects focused on improving health outcomes for local people. Bids are welcomed from all local health and care partners, as well as wider system partners and businesses around using the latest medical technology, innovative use of digital tools and redesigning services. The goal is to make a real difference in people's lives and support economic growth through meaningful innovation. 

The official call for bids will be launched towards the end of July and will open for six weeks, with applications to be submitted by the end of August. Selected projects will be informed/awarded funding by late September/ early October. 

For more details on the SAHCP and the new fund, visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/surrey-academic-health-and-care-partnership 

About the University of Surrey  

The University of Surrey is a research-intensive university, conducting world-leading, impactful research, delivering excellent innovation in teaching and producing highly employable graduates. These combine to transform lives and change the world for the better. www.surrey.ac.uk  

About Surrey Heartlands  

The Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the statutory NHS organisation responsible for developing a plan for meeting the population's health needs, managing the NHS budget and arranging for the provision of health services in the Surrey Heartlands area.  

The wider Surrey Heartlands integrated care system (ICS) is a collaborative partnership of local health and care organisations dedicated to supporting people to live healthier lives and to reduce health inequalities (avoidable gaps in health outcomes/health access experienced by different parts of our local population). The ICS's vision is to unite with individuals and partners across Surrey Heartlands to enhance long-term health and care. This involves health organisations, local authorities – including Surrey Heartlands ICB and Surrey County Council as key partners - and other stakeholders sharing collective responsibility for improving the local population's health, managing resources (including finances), and delivering high-quality health and social care. By working together, ICSs can significantly impact people's health and wellbeing, addressing the root causes of poor health rather than merely treating symptoms.  

About Surrey County Council   

Surrey County Council is an ambitious organisation, always looking to improve and to adopt best practice across local government. We have a key role to play in improving the quality of life for residents of Surrey, enhancing the infrastructure for business and protecting the natural environment for generations to come.  

To fulfil that role, we are committed to a very clear set of priorities:  

  • Growing a sustainable economy so everyone can benefit,  
  • tackling health inequality,  
  • enabling a greener future,  
  • empowered & thriving communities  

Underpinning all our work is our overarching ambition to help everyone in Surrey benefit from all the opportunities on offer in our county, and to ensure that no one is left behind. Now, and in the future. Helping those who need us most and improving quality of life for everyone.  

About Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex   

Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (Health Innovation KSS) is one of the 15 health innovation networks across England set up by NHS England in 2013. We focus on improving health and generating economic growth by spreading innovation at pace and scale. Our work spans the whole of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.   

We connect citizens, NHS and academic organisations, local authorities, the third sector and industry to facilitate change across whole health and social care economies. We have a clear focus on 'transforming lives through innovation'.  Visit https://healthinnovation-kss.com/ for more info.  

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