The UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, recently visited Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and saw how the Park is operating at the interface of three key government missions – health, opportunity, and economic growth.

The visit highlighted the Park’s significant contributions to the South Yorkshire region and how the Park’s initiatives drive innovation and create opportunities that will benefit both the local community and the broader region.

A tour of the Park showcased facilities including Canon Medical Arena, LivingCare Medical Diagnostic Centre and Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. Dame Angela then joined a roundtable with senior representatives from Google, Canon Medical Systems and key organisations from the region.

The focus of the roundtable was to highlight how South Yorkshire can improve the health of the nation, get people back to work and boost the economy through the life sciences sector. 

Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is at the heart of this activity, and will play an integral role in advancing national, regional and local government agendas focused in these areas.

Dame Angela said: “I was delighted to be able to spend time in South Yorkshire, meeting the public and private sector partners leading this impactful development. Their translational work across AI, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and food tech all contributes to key UK Government missions and will undoubtedly make even more of an impact through the exciting plans in place for the coming years.”

The Park is home to initiatives including the EPSRC South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub – a joint programme led by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to tackle healthcare inequalities and transform how patients are treated in South Yorkshire.

Dame Angela was also given an exclusive preview of the fly through video for the National Centre for Child Health Technology – the next major development at the Park. This £22m world-class facility will be dedicated to creating a healthier future for children and young people through innovation, technology, and outstanding care.

Professor Paul Dimitri, Clinical Director of Technology and Innovation at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Children are 25% of the population and 100% of the future. The National Centre for Child Health Technology will be at the forefront of child health innovation, ensuring we provide the best possible start for the next generation.”

Dr Chris Low, Chief Executive at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park said: “We welcome the opportunity to highlight the collaborative and innovative work taking place at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and across the wider region.

“The Park, and in particular the National Centre for Child Health Technology and the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, are prime examples of the way the Park is supporting the new government missions of health, opportunity and economic growth. We look forward to delivering new projects in the future to further support these missions.”

Pictured L-R : Professor Paul Dimitri – Clinical Director of Technology and Innovation, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Sherry Kothari – Chair, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park; Professor Dame Angela McLean – Government Chief Scientific Adviser; Alexandra Norrish – Development Director, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Chris Low – Chief Executive, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park