Board of Directors Meeting
Date: / 25 February 2009
Agenda item: / 7.5 Part I
Title: / Science City
Prepared by: / Dr Vaughan Pearce, Joint Medical Director
Presented by: / Dr Vaughan Pearce, Joint Medical Director
Action required: / For noting
Monitoring Information / Please specify HC standard numbers and
tickother boxes as appropriate
Healthcare Standards – CORE / Standard numbers / C22a
Healthcare Standards – DEVELOPMENTAL / Standard numbers
Monitor / Finance
Service Development Strategy / X / Performance Management
Local Delivery Plan / Business Planning
Assurance Framework / Complaints
Equality, diversity, human rights implications assessed
Other (please specify)
1. / PURPOSE
1.1 / To inform the Trust Board of discussions with other organisations in the locality about the possibility of Exeter securing ScienceCity designation.
2. / BACKGROUND
2.1 / The Government has been giving increasing prominence to the role of science and technology in building a competitive economy within the UK. Greater emphasis has also been given at a national, regional, and sub-regional level to the importance of innovation as a strategic driver of the economy. Around the UK six cities have achieved a high profile focus for themselves and are strengthening their capability and capacity by securing the Science City designation. These are Nottingham, Bristol, York, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. Discussions have been taking place to see how Exeter could engage and encourage the development of a strong skills base to promote the support of world leading research and business activity. Engaging and inspiring young people to explore their potential and pursue careers in science is critically important, and needs even more effective links between science and education at all levels. This will lead to the building of a greater range of higher skilled and better paid jobs in the local economy.
2.2 / The city already has a number of strong resources including:
  1. A leading university with a growing reputation in systems biology, functional materials, translational medicine, personalised healthcare and public health, extrasolar planets, climate change and a sustainable future.
  2. The Met Office – a world leading meteorological and climate change organisation.
  3. The most successful of the new medical schools with a growing research portfolio.
  4. A limited number of science/technology based companies.
  5. A rapidly growing Innovation Centre.
  6. An ideal site for a science park on its position in the market place and early successes.
  7. A leading hospital committed to joint working with the medical skills and one which employs large numbers of scientists.

2.3 / Meetings have been co-ordinated by Exeter City Council to bring the interested parties together for individual mutual benefit of parties involved for the benefit of the people of Exeter.
3. / KEY ISSUES
3.1 / The interdependence between the Trust and the Medical School to drive innovation.
3.2 / A growing research portfolio.
3.3 / Growing numbers of joint Medical School and Trust appointments.
4. / PROPOSALS
4.1 / It is proposed to continue these joint discussions with science partners in collaboration with Exeter City Council to explore those areas which are individually and mutually advantageous to promote healthcare through science and innovation.
5. / FINANCIAL/OTHER IMPLICATIONS
5.1 / At this stage there are no financial implications.
6. / RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Board endorses the discussions which are at an early stage.

Title of Paper: ScienceCity

Board Date: 25 February 2009 1 of 3