This week marks what Health Minister Mike Nesbitt calls “a defining and watershed year for our health service” with the launch of The Health and Social Care Reset Plan.
For Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI), this moment represents far more than policy announcement – it is formal recognition of our role as a foundational partner for how Northern Ireland will unlock the health and prosperity benefits of health and life sciences innovation.
A Platform for Transformation
The reset plan gives a clear commitment from the health service of the need to strengthen the “strategic partnership between the HSC, our universities and commercial partners to create a bespoke NI approach to health innovation building on the platform of Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland.”
This explicit recognition of HIRANI’s platform over the last 5 years connecting universities, health organisations, and industry bodies positions us as key part of this transformative agenda.
HIRANI facilitate the partnerships needed to deliver both immediate efficiencies and long-term sustainable solutions that are as important for better health outcomes as they are for regional economic growth supporting jobs, skills, collaboration and investment.
The plan’s commitment to “maximising the income the H&SC can attract through research and innovation” as part of the most ambitious efficiency programme in HSC history presents a clear opportunity for HIRANI’s collaborative approach.
Our CEO Joann Rhodes welcomed the H&SC Reset Plan, she said “Minister Nesbitt’s vision is built on seven key areas that mirror HIRANI’s approach to ecosystem development. The “concrete progress on neighbourhood care, bringing more services as close as possible to people’s front doors” aligns perfectly with our mission to drive collaboration and connectivity across the entire health and life sciences ecosystem. This neighbourhood-centred approach isn’t just about service delivery – it’s about recognising and harnessing innovation opportunities at every level of the system.”
HIRANI will leverage our strong existing UK and Ireland-wide relationships e.g. the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, ABHI Health-tech leaders and Health Innovation Hub Ireland with our proven track record of bringing together diverse stakeholders as demonstrated with £7.5M Innovate UK on the health and life sciences launchpad and the Academy of Medical Sciences Cross Sector Programme to ensure this partnership delivers meaningful impact from day one.
As we move forward, HIRANI stands ready to be a connective platform that enables this renewed strategic partnership and health innovation programmes to flourish.
Dr Hakim Yadi OBE Chair of HIRANI said “The new health and social care reset plan is a timely intervention to ensure that the Northern Ireland health innovation economy can build on its strong foundations. As Chair, I’m delighted to see the recognition for the work of the HIRANI in building a substantive platform for growth. We look forward to working with all stakeholders and delivering this bold vision.”
HIRANI’s role as the platform for Northern Ireland’s new strategic health innovation partnership represents a significant opportunity to strengthen our life and health sciences ecosystem. Contact our team to learn more about how we can collaborate to deliver on the Reset Plan’s vision.
