UK financial services firm Deloitte has launched a new tech hub in Birmingham, UK, aimed at boosting innovation in the health sector.  

The initiative will be led by Gus Miah, partner and head of healthcare at Deloitte in the Midlands and will be supported by more than 100 staff across the practice.

WHY IT MATTERS

Based at the firm’s offices in Brindleyplace, the Health Tech Catalyst aims to accelerate health tech innovation in the Midlands.

The initiative will function as a collaborative platform for developing and investing in digital solutions for frontline care.

It will also aim to engage with national and international partners to bring together researchers, health care organisations and the NHS to create commercial opportunities for innovators.

Other services provided include regular events, a database of relevant whitepapers and insight and a drop-in surgery where industry experts will be on hand to examine individual challenges.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of having a connected digital healthcare ecosystem, which has ramped up the search for innovation. In a discussion on the opening day at the HIMSS & Health 2.0 European Digital Event, healthcare leaders worldwide shared perspectives on pandemic-era digital innovation.

ON THE RECORD

Miah said: "This year we have seen just how vital digital solutions are for organisations and individuals. While the digitisation of healthcare isn't a new concept, we know from experience how difficult it can be to develop and deploy new innovations quickly and safely into frontline health care.

"We wanted to identify a way in which we could help accelerate that process, overcome barriers to growth for health tech companies while also helping support healthcare providers. The catalyst is our way of using our experience and connections to bring all the different components together in order to benefit all."