The NHS is the largest customer for medical technologies in the UK and serves more than 60 million patients. Within the Wessex region, which encompasses the Solent LEP, 10% of the workforce are employed in the health economy. With more than 300 health and life science companies focused on medical technological innovation, SIGHT (Supporting Innovation and Growth in Healthcare Technologies) will provide an important boost to the regional economy through its support of this sector.
SIGHT is a business support programme developed by the University of Portsmouth to provide help and guidance to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the healthcare technology sector.
The programme aims to enhance the competitiveness of businesses in the healthcare sector in the south east region by working collaboratively with industry partners, patient groups, clinicians and academics to provide quicker access to groundbreaking healthcare technologies.
The £1.7m programme is part-funded by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and will draw on clinical and academic expertise from the University and from our delivery partners, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and the Clinical Research Network Wessex.
The programme will also help companies to become more aware of the challenges they could face bringing products to market in this sector – and help them find ways to successfully overcome them.
