Manchester partnership receives AHSC designation for five more years

The partnership between Manchester's NHS and other academic organizations has been given an extension to continue its world-leading health research for diseases, treatments and patient care.

Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) was given the Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) designation by the NHS Improvement, NHS England and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), according to the University of Manchester. AHSCs are partnerships between leading universities and organizations in research.  

The partnership will be among the University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Great Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

According to the University of Manchester, the AHSC partnership will focus on cancer, cardiovascular and diabetes, inflammation and repair, mental health, neuroscience and women and children. 

"Taking a singular One Manchester approach, this five-year AHSC designation will enable us to enhance innovation and make faster decisions that will directly impact and improve the lives of the 2.8 million population of Greater Manchester – as evidenced today by the magnificent mobilization at pace of hundreds of researchers, scientists and health care professionals in support of efforts to fight the COVID-9 coronavirus," Professor Graham Lord, MAHSC executive director and vice president and dean of the Faculty for Biology, Medicine and Health, said in a statement. 

The partnership started April 1 and will continue until 2025, according to the university. 

Raj Jain, group chief executive officer of the Northern Care Alliance and MAHSC's lead for the neuroscience domain, said the partnership extension must be used to make a difference in their communities and drive research forward. 

“We must seize the opportunity to make maximum difference over the next five years to the health and prosperity of our local communities, to connect more deeply to our incredibly diverse and talented academic and healthcare sectors, and to fly the flag for Manchester on the national and international stage," Jain said in a statement.