Tees, Esk and Wear becomes second mental health trust to join NHSA

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is looking to increase research collaboration and innovation opportunities, as it becomes the second mental health trust to join the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA).

The NHSA brings together 24 research active NHS Trusts and universities across the North and the four Northern AHSNs.

The Alliance works together with members to promote the life science sector in the North of England and drive investment into the Northern Powerhouse.

Since its inception, the NHSA has brought over £60m worth of contracts to the North of England. It has also been named as a delivery partner in the Government’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Sector deal and revealed over £1bn of investment in the region’s life sciences.

As an associate member, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) will be granted opportunities through the NHSA’s joint research partnerships, advocacy, business development and international and national programmes.

In doing so, the research and development team at TEWV hopes to expand the trust’s offer of new and innovative research opportunities, in line with its vision of becoming a natural laboratory and test-bed for research, implementation and innovation within and beyond the NHS.

Professor Joe Reilly, clinical director for research and development at TEWV, said: “I’m delighted that Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is joining the Northern Health Science Alliance as an Associate Member.

“As a mental health trust, we have a great deal to gain from the NHSA’s national and international reach, and its success in bringing together academic and clinical collaborations to deliver high-quality research and innovation to the North.

“Together with acute hospital colleagues, we hope to help bridge the gap between physical and mental health, and improve the mental health and well-being of people in our regions and beyond.”

TEWV provides a range of mental health and learning disability services across Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire. Applied mental health research is a strong focus for the trust, which is particularly interested in the integration of physical and mental health in common mental health disorders and severe mental illness.

Nicola Wilson, interim chief executive at the NHSA, said: “We are pleased to welcome Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to the NHSA as the second mental health trust to join the Alliance.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating with the TEWV team to explore how we can support their vision to bridge the gap between physical and mental health.”