The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) have launched a new partnership today, 2 September, to test health innovations within real NHS settings. This collaboration aims to accelerate the safe adoption of new technologies and potentially offer earlier diagnosis and more personalised care to patients in Manchester.
The first major initiative under this partnership will be the Manchester Sandbox. This programme will allow innovative technologies to be deployed and evaluated within NHS environments, gathering evidence on their performance with patients and clinicians. Initial technologies are expected to include AI-enabled medical devices, such as tools designed to identify patients at higher risk of complications from long-term conditions.
The programme seeks to rapidly assess healthcare solutions that can enhance patient care and safety, alleviate pressure on NHS services, and support the wider implementation of effective technologies. Insights gained from this initiative will be shared across the NHS, potentially influencing how new technologies are introduced in other parts of the country.