University to develop new innovation campus into ageing and elderly care

Lancaster University is working on a major project that will help people to live longer and healthier lives thanks to new Government funding.

The £17 million investment, through the Government’s Growth Fund via the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, will help create the Lancaster Health Innovation Campus.

The innovation campus, which will provide an integrated approach to healthcare and services for people who are growing older, will be created adjacent to the university campus at Bailrigg and will develop solutions to problems caused by ageing populations.

The campus is a response to a genuine need from industry and there will be a strong focus on working with businesses and healthcare providers to make advances in technologies, products and services.

Professor Andrew Atherton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, said: “The Lancaster Health Innovation Campus will build on Lancaster University’s already strong reputation for research into health and ageing.

“As more and more people are living longer, research into improving the lives of people as they become older has never been more important. This campus will significantly help us to bring about advances in technology and care programmes through research alongside healthcare and commercial partners that will enrich people’s lives.”

“There will also be space for a medical centre for research collaborations with the NHS and other health bodies and additional buildings and laboratories for relevant healthcare businesses to use.

Features of the Health Innovation Campus include facilities to work on new technologies to improve assisted living, and research into social care.