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Dutch and Flemish Digital Health organisations on a mission to the UK

During a four-day mission to Scotland and England (11-14 March), a Dutch and Flemish delegation met with relevant care institutions, potential partners and regional National Health Services. This business and innovation trip with the theme 'Digital Health' was organised by OostNL, InnovationQuarter, POM West-Flanders and NHS Highland.

Dutch and Flemish Digital Health organisations on a mission to the UK

Programme

The group existed of Dutch and Flemish Digital Health SME’s, care and knowledge institutes. The delegation took part in a rich programme of activities focusing on exploring internationalization opportunities in Scotland and England. The visit provided many opportunities for individual companies to present themselves and have one-on-one discussions with potential technology and innovation partners.

In just four days the delegation travelled to Inverness, Manchester, Liverpool and ended the journey in London. The mission included:

  • visits of various regional and local NHS institutes, the Digital Incubator & Spaces The Landing in Manchester;
  • Q&A sessions with procurement departments of the NHS;
  • a presentation of Global Digital Exemplar of Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals;
  • Pitch & Partnering events with local Clinical, Care, Welfare, Procurement partners and SMEs; and
  • the NHS Highland in Scotland organized 1-to-1 visits for all delegates according to the entrepreneur’s needs.

In addition, the delegation visited the Digital Health Technology and Wearable Technology Show in London. At the Digital Health Technology pitch event, led by Maarten den Braber, many of the delegates got the opportunity to pitch their product. Two winners were announced and we can proudly say that one of our delegation members, Paul Koster from Clinical Science Systems was one of the winners.

Dutch and Flemish Digital Health organisations on a mission to the UK

Digital Business Opportunities

Digital Health is a hot topic in the United Kingdom. In both Scotland and England, the pressure on health care budgets continues to increase. The Five Year Forward View and Personalised Health and Care 2020 describes the need to transform the health and care system to keep care affordable, sustainable and of high quality. Excellent use of information and technology is fundamental to this transformation.

The United Kingdom and the National Health Services in Scotland and England are therefore looking for solutions to their challenges. Which creates ample business opportunities for Digital Health companies from all over Europe.

Organizing parties

OostNL, InnovationQuarter, POM West Flanders & NHS Highland organised this mission together with partner organizations from the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, InnovationQuarter, POM West Flanders and NHS Highland organized this trip as part of the SHINE Interreg program. Where healthcare systems might be region or country specific, challenges in the healthcare sector are not. To overcome these challenges innovative and sustainable solutions are required. The SHINE project aims to push transnational and cross- sector co-operation in the health care economy. New economic activities can be developed that create international opportunities for SMEs and disseminates the most innovative healthcare solutions across the North Sea Region.

SHINE Interreg