New Network Connects North East Professionals

More than 100 healthcare professionals and academics gathered in Newcastle to celebrate the launch of a new network in the region.
 
HealthConnect, managed by Cels, will provide support and services to the healthcare sector across the North East. The launch, which took place at the Great North Museum:Hancock, was attended by some of the region’s key players in the healthcare and life sciences industry.
 
HealthConnect is the result of a merger of Cels’ Healthcare Network and BioNEt bringing together academics, businesses and clinicians. HealthConnect will encourage collaboration between these groups to stimulate translational research, innovation and commercial opportunities for the region.
 
The North East plays a significant part in the UK’s healthcare industry producing a turnover of more than £8bn and employing more than 170,000 people.
 
Kenny Lang, chief innovation officer at Cels said:
 
“Networking and partnership opportunities are crucial to developing the sector and helping to secure the North East’s reputation as the place to do healthcare business. At a time of economic uncertainty, we need to present a unified and consolidated face in order to remain at the forefront of the sector nationally and internationally.
 
“HealthConnect is just one of the ways Cels is delivering more commercially valuable support for our stakeholder organisations.”
 
HealthConnect members will have access to industry-specific business advice and market intelligence and will also receive a weekly e-newsletter and invitations to a range of informative and interactive events. HealthConnect also offers members assistance with generic business issues such as recruitment, marketing & PR and legal services.
 
Cels network manager, Laura Hampson, will be heading up HealthConnect. She said:
 
“The healthcare sector thrives in the North East but can only do so if the industry continues to share ideas, innovation and best practice. HealthConnect champions this partnership approach, and we already have ambitious plans to increase the network and add more services to help our members achieve their goals.
 
“A fundamental objective of HealthConnect will be to respond to members’ needs and be proactive in developing initiatives that will address the challenges of the sector. By introducing this new network, Cels aims to stimulate new product development opportunities and access previously untapped markets.”
 
Annual membership fees vary depending on the organisation or individual. Visit www.bewellconnected.co.uk or contact Laura Hampson on 0191 211 2560 for more information.