Healthcare

Jun 10 2009 By The Journal

AT present some of the world's leading life science experts live and work in the North East while thousands of families suffer under the UK's worst health conditions.

Health bosses say they want to change that within a decade, and then build on their groundbreaking work to take their treatments to the rest of the world.

Experts say our ageing population presents a major challenge for the healthcare industry but meeting those problems head-on could provide major opportunities.

The region already has world-leading research and clinical practice.

Opportunities will include such areas as diagnostics, technology to assist people suffering from dementia and regenerative medicine.

Neil Mundy, a board member of the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "I cannot imagine goals more important for the region than improving the health and wellbeing of the people of the North East and developing our healthcare economy."