Early detection and diagnosis
Early detection – of both risk factors and disease itself – saves lives, improves quality of life, and reduces burden on health systems.
Using assets including our Clinical Immunology Services, long-established acute care health data records, and genomic and genetic testing capabilities, BHP’s aim is to deliver high-impact innovations in early detection and diagnosis. Working across our partnership to navigate NHS need and the UK’s regulatory environment, we will drive improvement in prevention and patient outcomes.
This will be facilitated by the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), the University of Birmingham’s flagship life sciences research facility which will be located at the new Birmingham Health Innovation Campus – connecting businesses, universities and healthcare to accelerate translation from research to patient benefit.
Explore our diagnostic capabilities
The Clinical Immunology Service (CIS) provides a comprehensive range of laboratory services and is a major testing centre for multiple myeloma, leukaemia/lymphoma, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, renal and rheumatic diseases and allergy. Soon to be based within the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator, the CIS has the expertise to run clinical trials, and to develop and commercialise new diagnostics.
The NIHR has awarded almost £42 million (£41,790,690) to establish 14 new HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs) across England that will drive life-changing research into health technologies from 1 April 2024. BHP’s University Hospitals Birmingham has been awarded just under £3m to establish a trauma and emergency care HRC, working with industry to support the development of medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.
The NHS Central and South Genomic Laboratory Hub is hosted by BHP’s Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, working in partnership with Local Genomic Laboratories across the region. Serving a population of 10 million across 41 NHS Trusts, the Hub provides a unique opportunity for translational research for patient benefit. It works in conjunction with NHS, academic and commercial partners to support, promote and conduct research and development relevant to delivery of genomics for patient benefit, via a broach approach which encompasses clinical, translational and basic research as well as the development and implementation of new tests and technologies.
Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) Midlands unites the healthcare and data science communities across the region to improve health.
BHP is home to the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (SDE), which gives authorised, trained researchers the ability to analyse health and social care data. UHB, the SDE’s lead organisation, also has one of the country’s most comprehensive health data sets, spanning more than 20 years of acute care data gathered from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
BHP also encompasses HDR UK Health Data Research Hubs in Acute Care (PIONEER) and eye health (INSIGHT) as well as leading multiple regional projects.
The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA) aims to help companies overcome the challenges they face when bringing new technologies – including diagnostic devices – to the market.