Two 'world leading' health centres to create thousands of jobs in Sheffield

Plans have been unveiled for two new multi-million-pound developments in healthcare for the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

The first of the ‘world class’ research and innovation centres is the Centre for Child Health Technology (CCHT), which is being led by Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The CCHT will see experts from the NHS, private sector and academia develop technology for children and young people; research and innovation to address long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, neurodisability and mental health disorders that affect millions of children.

The Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Research and Innovation Centre (ORRIC) is led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will promote similar collaborative research to address some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries and conditions such as those affecting the spine, hips, knees, ankles, shoulders and elbows.

The centres would be close to Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, underpinned by the potential for public-private sector partnerships to improve public health services and to reduce NHS costs.

It is estimated that these investments on the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park will create the equivalent of 3,465 full time jobs by 2027, including 348 professional roles. Up to 1,340 construction-related jobs are envisaged.

The latest developments follow talks in the last couple of weeks between Richard Caborn, Project Lead of Sheffield OLP, Lord Carter, a non-executive director of NHS Improvement who was a board member of the 2012 Olympic bid.

Mr Caborn has also written to the Secretary of State for BEIS and Health along with the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting consideration for these two projects to be included in the Governments Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Industrial Strategy.

Mr Caborn, a former Sheffield MP and Sports Minister, said: “These two Centres are the latest evidence of Sheffield taking a world leading role in tackling a range of health issues and encouraging people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives.

“Not only will they ensure a firm and lasting legacy from the 2012 London Olympics, but together they will make a significant contribution to the objectives outlined in a number of key Government and NHS health and business strategies.”

Both projects will be working with the University of Sheffield’s Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre between Rotherham and Sheffield, Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.

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