Sharing medical technology

A medical technology exchange centre has been launched in Daresbury, Cheshire, by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (

) as part of its Future Programmes initiative.

The exchange centre, known as MedTEC, aims to bring together healthcare-focused technologies through better collaboration between the NHS and other medical organisations.

The centre will host an office in the North West NHS Innovation Hub (Trustech) to help create links with industry.

Minister Lord Drayson said: ‘This new centre for medical technology will complement the cutting-edge science centres and 80 high-tech start-ups already on the Daresbury campus.

'It will encourage the use of a unique UK asset, the NHS, to help drive the process of innovation.

'It is this type of strategic investment that will give this country the edge it will need to compete in tomorrow's global economy.’

Professor Keith Mason, chief executive of the STFC, added: ‘This centre provides a focus for like-minded organisations to meet, and to more rapidly identify and take forward ideas that will lead to real improvements in healthcare in the future.