Health Frontiers - Technology Innovation Centre is a multidisciplinary initiative focused on advancing MedTech and digital health solutions. Linking over 20 industry partners across Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland to drive innovation in medical devices, healthcare digital transformation and AI-driven health solutions, strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical partners.
Led by Ulster University, which has over 40 years of experience in health technology innovation including successful defibrillator and wearables spin-outs, Health Frontiers will build upon a 20-year partnership strengthened by the INTERREGVA Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering Centre (ECME).
Funded by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), Health Frontiers will bring together leading research organisations, including Ulster University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, and the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre and the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland. Connecting to clinical expertise will be provided by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
Health Frontiers has clear aims to contribute to the development of a strong indsury-led MedTech sector, they are to:
- Provide local SMEs with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace by fostering the development of new products and increasing profitability.
- Strengthen the MedTech ecosystem by enhancing innovation, co-ideation and skills development, contributing to sustained economic growth.
- Improve patient care pathways, leading to better health outcomes for local populations.
Health Frontiers have a range of deliverables that are focused on industry innovation outcomes. Focusing on industry-led challenges will allow Health Frontiers to improve business competitiveness and to contribute to a more economically active region.
Partners
Ireland partners:
- Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- University College Dublin (UCD)
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Scotland partners:
- Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Clinical partners:
- Southern Health & Social Care Trust
- Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
- Northern Health & Social Care Trust
- Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI)
