A new health partnership, Norfolk and Waveney Health Innovation and Education Cluster (HIEC), has been awarded Department of Health funding in a national competitive bidding process. Norfolk and Waveney HIEC will combine its skills and experience to accelerate the coordination of health and social care for older people, in mental health, acute services, long-term conditions and end of life care.

The Norfolk and Waveney (HIEC), comprises a core membership: Norfolk Community Health and Care, NHS Norfolk, Norfolk County Council, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of East Anglia, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, City College Norwich and James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Also on board are organisations from outside the public sector, including Archant, the publisher of regional and local newspapers.

The Partnership will work to bring the benefits of research and innovation, such as assistive technologies, directly to patients more quickly and effectively. It will take a lead in work force development and share best practice from across the United Kingdom and Europe. Norfolk and Waveney will also become a model for other areas of the UK with similar demographics.

The Partnership’s bid document highlighted the local challenges, including a startling 18 year life expectancy gap for men between the best and worst off in our communities.

Speaking for the partners, Hadrian Ball, Medical Director for Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is fantastic news for the Norfolk and Waveney health and social care system. The creation of this HIEC will enable local NHS and social care organisations and partners from independent and educational sectors to effectively develop plans that will address the specific health challenges – health needs of an ageing population – that will face the people of Norfolk and Waveney during the coming 5 -10 years.”

Addressing health inequalities and improving care for older people are two key planks in both NHS Norfolk’s and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s five year strategies, which will guide the provision of healthcare in their respective areas in the years ahead.

The funding awarded to the Norfolk and Waveney HIEC is £650,000. The Partnership is one of 17 successful applicants across the country chosen by an Independent Award Panel Chaired by Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which awarded a total of over £11 million.