13 April 2016

Dorset growth deal will keep the population moving

Infrastructure, transport and regeneration based projects are some of the typical schemes benefiting from local growth deals.  The health and wellbeing sector seems an incongruous recipient of a local growth deal.  Yet Dorset LEP is breaking the mould with one of its growth deals funding a newly established Orthopaedic Research Institute (ORI) at Bournemouth University.   

Dorset has an unusual demographic; it boasts one of the largest populations of older people in the UK and carries out a significantly higher than average number of orthopaedic surgeries compared with other regions. Poole Hospital performs more hip fracture operations than any other hospital in England; the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is a leading European hip and knee replacement unit.  As a result, an orthopaedic business cluster is naturally evolving in the area. 

How to live well in older age is a key societal challenge. Health services are striving to help people stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.  Orthopaedics plays a pivotal role in supporting this because longer and more active lives increase the risk that joints will wear out and replacements or treatments will be required.    

 

The ORI works across Bournemouth University and with local hospitals and industry partners to carry out research aimed at improving current orthopaedic treatments, developing better surgeries and testing new technology and developing better rehabilitation processes.  

Dorset LEP’s £700,000 local growth fund for the ORI will help establish the institute as a centre of excellence in orthopaedics and attract innovative orthopaedic businesses to Dorset. The ORI aims to generate up to £100 million of investment into Dorset alongside 500 new jobs.  

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director said: “The Orthopaedic Research Institute is a leading edge research facility.  Its work will not only deliver more effective treatments for osteoarthritis but will attract key local and international investors into Dorset.  This is good news not only for people whose lives will be enriched by better orthopaedic treatments but also for the economy.  We are delighted to have found the capital investment through our local growth fund to support this pioneering project.”

 As published by LEP Network April Newsletter.

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