Category Archives: South Yorkshire

Health & Welfare, Health & Welfare Headlines, Infrastructure, South Yorkshire

Innovative Digital Health Hub For South Yorkshire

Leave a comment

A new £4 million digital healthcare hub to tackle healthcare inequalities is set to transform how patients are treated in South Yorkshire.

The South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, led by the University of Sheffield, will drive the development of innovative digital technologies to improve the way diseases are treated and diagnosed by using cutting-edge research using data from smartphones, wearables, new sensors, combining this with NHS data and using artificial intelligence to develop new clinical tools.

The hub will bring together a range of partners, including the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, GPs, mental health services, the Sheffield Integrated Care System in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, businesses and patient and public groups, to share knowledge, skills and build upon the existing regional strength in developing innovative digital health technologies.

Sheffield is one of five hubs across the UK to be awarded part of £16.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Health Ageing and Wellbeing and Tackling Infections UKRI Strategic Themes.

The hubs will focus on four key healthcare challenges:

  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Health and care outside hospital and disease prediction, diagnosis and intervention
  • Tackling health inequalities by developing digital healthcare technologies to the point of use in the NHS
  • Addressing the health needs of underserved communities

    The South Yorkshire Digital Hub will cover a region of 1.4 million people affected by high levels of disease and health inequalities. The hub will respond to unmet needs of urban and rural populations which are shaped by significant health and social inequalities.

    It will also offer new opportunities for improving health and economic growth in the region through digital skills training and sharing, networking and knowledge exchange, connecting diverse stakeholders in digital health from academia, healthcare, industry, public and private organisations, and the wider public.

    The hub will offer specialist health training for researchers, clinicians, patients and the public, made freely available online.

    Professor Tim Chico, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of Sheffield and Director of the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, said: “People in South Yorkshire are affected by widening health inequality and high levels of disease, including heart and lung disease, cancer and mental health issues. This investment in cutting-edge health technology research aims to tackle the issue by developing digital healthcare to use in the NHS and benefit patients in our region and beyond.”

    “The hub will allow colleagues from healthcare, academia, business and patients to come together to drive pioneering digital health which will transform the way we treat and diagnose diseases and most critically improve health.”

    Professor Steve Haake is the Deputy Director of the Digital Health Hub, which will be based at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. He said: “The establishment of the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub is a fantastic opportunity for the region.”

    “Our vision is to develop digital health tools that incorporate information from daily life to help patients and healthcare professionals make the right decisions at the right time. The hub will support patients, clinicians, companies and the general public to design their own apps and tools and help them to be used successfully in the NHS.”

    Oliver Coppard, Mayor of the South Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “The Digital Health Hub will help advance our plans to address the health inequalities holding our region back. South Yorkshire being at the forefront of this work is a testament to the ever-increasing collaboration between the NHS, our Universities and our business community, and yet more evidence of the strength of our cutting-edge health and wellbeing sector.”

    “As ever, South Yorkshire is rising to the challenges facing our region in a way that is truly world-leading.”

    The Digital Healthcare Hubs are part of a wider £36.5 million investment in healthcare technology from EPSRC.

    Dr Kedar Pandya, Executive Director of Cross-Council Programmes of EPSRC, said: “The projects and hubs announced today will deliver a variety of innovative approaches to improve healthcare outcomes for patients.”

    “This investment will support scientists and engineers who are transforming the way we treat and diagnose diseases by using the latest developments in robotics, computer modelling and imaging.”


Business Transactions, South Yorkshire

Leading Property Auctioneers Merge

Two of the north’s largest property auction houses, North-West based Pugh and South Yorkshire based Mark Jenkinson, are combining their online property auction listings from this month.

Mark Jenkinson, which has been based in Sheffield for over 125 years, was acquired by Eddisons earlier this year, joining Pugh which was bought by Eddisons in 2016. Between them the two firms have sold a wide range of commercial, residential and land assets worth £94m in the last year.

Combining the lots of both auction houses, under the Pugh brand and as part of Eddisons, will provide a more extensive list of investment opportunities across the regions.

Pugh managing director Paul Thompson said: “This is an exciting development for our business and reinforces our strength and leading position in the northern property auction market. Combining the two very capable teams ensures we continue to deliver a high performing service to our selling and buying customers.”

Mark Jenkinson senior partner, Adrian Little, added: “Working with Pugh, as part of Eddisons, gives us a superb geographic reach, unrivalled market insight and a vast network of buyers and sellers.”

“The personalised customer service our clients have always enjoyed will be backed by cutting-edge technology and strategic marketing support.”

Community, News, South Yorkshire

Forging A New Link Between Nature & Town

Planning permission for Rotherham Council’s public park along the River Don, Riverside Gardens, has been granted.

Plans put forward by the Council include a pedestrianised walk through from the flagship Forge Island development and a public space which will be suitable for a wide range of ages.

Using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping, Riverside Gardens will be a gateway to the heart of the town centre. It will offer residents a place to socialise and relax close to new amenities such as the Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed hotel, and a range of restaurants and bars on Forge Island, which is being delivered in partnership with nationwide placemaker, Muse.

It will offer residents a play area for children and a range of seating so that they can enjoy views along the river.

Following on from the success of the nearby fish pass on Masbrough weir, the scheme will also support local wildlife by providing bat boxes and a tunnelled sand martin box along the river side.

Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor David Sheppard, said: “Riverside Gardens will transform an underused site to fantastic public space which will allow residents to connect with the river and nature. It will be a great addition to the green spaces in the town centre, providing nearby residents with a space where they can meet and feel the benefits of nature. I am glad to see that the riverside, home to some of our favourite wildlife, will be easily accessed and enjoyed by all members of our communities.”

The scheme will be funded by the Future High Streets Fund following on from the Council’s successful bid for a total of £12.6m for numerous public realm schemes in the town centre.

Riverside Gardens will complement the wider Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan to bring major investment into the heart of Rotherham’s cultural and leisure quarter, and town centre housing.

Along with the Riverside Gardens scheme, other redevelopments in the Master Plan will begin soon. Other out of use buildings which overlook Riverside Gardens will also be redeveloped as part of the Culture and Leisure Quarter which supports the needs of residents.

Rotherham Council’s Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport, Simon Moss, said: “More and more people are choosing to move into the town centre, thanks to the fantastic range of housing available at the nearby Westgate Chambers, Milford Rise, Westgate Riverside and Wellgate Place. With increasing numbers of people coming into the town centre, it makes business more viable and we are already starting to see new and independent businesses investing in Rotherham.”

Education News, News, Sheffield

Sheffield Among UK Cities That Benefit The Most From International Students

International students in Sheffield have the third greatest impact on the UK’s economy, according to a new report.

The report, published by Universities UK International (UUKi), the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Kaplan International Pathways in collaboration with London Economics, reveals the growing importance of international students to local economies throughout the UK.

Figures from the report, show that the 2021/22 cohort of international students in Sheffield Central had a £273 million net impact on the economy – the third highest of any constituency across the UK, behind Glasgow Central and Holborn and St Pancras.

The average impact for parliamentary constituencies in the Yorkshire and Humber region was also the third highest in the UK – at £54 million.

Findings from the report reveal international students contributed a huge £41.9 billion to the UK overall, rising from £31.3bn in 2018/19 – an increase of 34 per cent. The data also confirms that – even when accounting for the impact on public services (estimated at £4.4 bn) – the economic benefits of hosting international students significantly outweigh the costs with a total net benefit of £37.4bn to the UK.

The analysis illustrates that the contribution of international students to the UK is clustered around the location of higher education institutions – such as the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University in South Yorkshire – but also demonstrates the economic contribution made by international students across the entire United Kingdom.

Paul Blomfield, Sheffield Central MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Students, said: “The benefits of international students living and studying in Sheffield are clear. This report shows the significant economic benefit they have on our communities, but they also bring enormous value in other ways. Not only do they help to create jobs and support Sheffield’s shops, businesses and restaurants, they enhance the education and experiences of all students, contribute to vital research and add to the cultural vibrancy of our city. I’m proud that students from across the world choose to study in Sheffield and I know that our city will continue to welcome them.”

The benefits international students bring to communities in the UK are not only financial.

Speaking about international students, Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “International students are a vital part of our University community. They bring a real vibrancy to our campus, sharing knowledge, perspectives and experiences that enhance the education of all our students. We are very proud of the contribution international students make to our city – not only economically, but through volunteering and supporting local charities and organisations. When they graduate, they go on to be fantastic ambassadors for Sheffield and for the UK, strengthening our links with countries around the globe.”

“The University and Students’ Union founded the #WeAreInternational campaign 10 years ago to celebrate the impact of our international students, and we will continue to advocate for the benefits they bring to our community.”

Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “In every university in the country, international students broaden horizons and reach. They make our universities culturally richer places, in which students from quite different backgrounds work, learn and live together.”

“The city’s universities are globally connected institutions, and that works for the benefit of students and the city.”

Anna Fedotova, International and Community Officer 2022/23 at the University of Sheffield Students’ Union, said: “Having a diverse, international, and vibrant campus which we can celebrate, brings with it so many benefits outside of the economic sphere. Higher education in the UK attracts students from all over the world, and welcoming international students should remain a priority that paves the way to a deeper and more compassionate understanding of multiple worldviews and cultures. This is something we see every day in our Sheffield student community, and I hope this can continue to grow.”

In total, 381,000 first year international students enrolled into UK universities in 2021/22, highlighting the global appeal of the country’s higher education and cementing our place as one of the leading destinations for international students.

Demonstrating the spread of international students across England, the report shows that:

> 98,825 students studied in London,
>31,360 studied in Yorkshire and the Humber,
>29,750 in the West Midlands,
>27,680 in the Northwest,
>24,835 in the East of England,
>24,235 in the East Midlands,
> 18,715 in the Northeast
>9,700 in the Southwest.

In relation to the other UK home nations, there were 44,085 international first-year students studying in Scotland, 14,905 in Wales, and 12,615 in Northern Ireland.

In Sheffield Central, there were 2,915 first year international students studying at the city’s two universities.

Business Headlines, News, South Yorkshire

JCT600 Wins Mercedes-Benz Retailer Of The Year Award

Northern-based family business JCT600 has been named as Retailer of the Year for 2022 by Mercedes-Benz as it recognises its best performing dealerships across the UK.

With Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Sheffield, Doncaster, Harrogate, York and Chesterfield, JCT600 won the coveted award based on its ‘outstanding performance in every area of the business, including new car sales, customer service, approved used car sales, workshop retail hours and customer retention’.

Gary Savage, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “JCT600 performed consistently strongly across all areas of the business and the team’s collaboration was nothing short of outstanding, with remarkable engagement and positivity.”

Michelle Caveney, Mercedes-Benz brand director for JCT600 said, “It is a fantastic achievement to be recognised in these prestigious awards which celebrate the very best of Mercedes-Benz’s partners throughout the UK.”

“This accolade is testament to the hard work and passion of the 200-plus strong team across our five Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, demonstrating their customer-centric approach and continued ability to deliver exceptional service. Ensuring that customers have the very best experience when they visit us is at the heart of what we do – our thanks go to all of our colleagues who make this possible.”

Doncaster, Homes & Gardens Headlines, News

Historic Scunthorpe Chapel Goes Under The Hammer

The former Methodist chapel in Ealand near Scunthorpe is to go under the hammer next month as part of an online property auction held by Sheffield firm Mark Jenkinson, which is now part of the Eddisons property group.

The chapel, which was built in 1882 and was a place of worship for over 130 years, has been given a £200,000 guide price in the 4 April auction.

Standing on a 0.3 acre site, the 1,600 sq ft building is a landmark property in the village and has potential for conversion into residential or other uses according to the auctioneer.

Mark Jenkinson director, Adrian Little, said: “This is such an attractive building which carries with it a lot of history, making it a unique property in the village. Planning consent would of course need to be gained by any prospective buyer but there are multiple imaginative new uses the chapel could be put to and it would be great to see it gain a new lease of life.”

He added: “Ealand is a sought-after location, set in the North Lincolnshire countryside, close to both Scunthorpe and Doncaster and with Crowle train station on the doorstep as well as superb motorway links. Not surprisingly our team have already had significant interest in this historic property.”

Business, South Yorkshire

The Broadway Shopping Area Is Transformed

Thanks to investment from Rotherham Council’s Towns and Villages Fund, the accessibility and appearance of the Broadway shopping area in Swinton has been improved.

Previously, this area was difficult to navigate with various sets of steps, ramps and uneven surfaces.

The walls and surfacing at the shopping area was dated and it was felt that the area needed a facelift.

Access to the site has been improved with new steps and ramps. The footways in front of the shops have also been extended, making it easier for shops to offer outdoor seating in the summer months. Alongside this, new surfacing has been installed.

A number of trees have been planted on the large green space at the site, improving the appearance of this well-used shopping area.

Extensive consultation was carried out with local residents and businesses, who told us that they would like to see CCTV in the area. Councillors listened to the feedback and used the Swinton Rockingham Ward budget to install new CCTV.

Councillor Gina Monk, Councillor for Swinton Rockingham Ward, said: “The work that has taken place supports our ward priority around improving the local environment.”

“We are really pleased that we have been able to add more value to the scheme, using our ward budget to install new CCTV.”

Councillor Ken Wyatt, Councillor for Swinton Rockingham Ward, added: “The Broadway shopping area was in need of improvement. This area is now more accessible with new walls, steps, ramps and surfacing. The work carried out will make it easier for local residents to use the shops.”

“The Broadway shopping area is well-used and it is great news that these improvements have been delivered for local residents and businesses.”

Councillor Sarah Allen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working, said: “We are working with our communities to deliver the changes that people want to see in their neighbourhoods through the Towns and Villages Fund.”

“The investment from the Council has improved the Broadway shopping area, which is now a more accessible space and looks so much better.”

The Towns and Villages Fund is a multi-million pound commitment from the Council to deliver improvements to local towns and villages across the borough.

Community, News, South Yorkshire

Planning Permission Granted For Country Park

Rotherham Council’s Rother Valley Country Park is set to benefit from improvements on site following planning permission being approved.

This news follows planning permission also being received for the £2.5 million development of a new café building at the Council’s Thrybergh Country Park. Both projects are part of a £20 million investment in leisure, economy and skills in Rotherham that the Council secured through the Levelling Up Fund. £5.5 million is committed to Rother Valley Country Park and £2.5 million to Thrybergh Country Park.

At Rother Valley, new facilities will include the development of a waterfront café with impressive views across the main lake. It will feature both indoor and outdoor seating with a first-floor events space available for events and meetings. Improvements to parking facilities and a relocated cycle hub will be complemented by a high-quality landscaping scheme to enhance the visitor experience including a new play area. The existing café in the courtyard will be adapted as a “grab and go” outlet.

The development further improves facilities for visitors at the popular park, with Gulliver’s Valley Resort and Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park as neighbours.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor David Sheppard, said: “It’s fantastic to see the planned improvements to the facilities at Rother Valley and Thrybergh Country Parks which will develop the sites into a more attractive destination for visitors. Once the works are completed, the venues will support year-round events and provide a wide range of fun activities for people to take part in.”

“We’re aiming to grow Rotherham’s leisure industry and expand economic opportunity for our residents, so that they can advance their skills and realise their ambitions.”

Works for both schemes are due to start later in the year.

Business Headlines, News, Sheffield

Fleetcor Acquires Sheffield EV

Fleetcor UK, a leading global business payments company, has acquired Mina, a cloud-based digital electric vehicle (EV) charging software platform based in Sheffield.

After a successful investment and two-year partnership, the acquisition provides Allstar’s parent company with the market-leading home charging software company for commercial fleets in the UK and reinforces its commitment to supporting the transition to EV.

The acquisition gives Allstar the UK’s only EV charging solution that captures, calculates and pays for home business-use charging directly to the energy provider, Mina Homecharge.

Also branded as Allstar Homecharge, the solution allows commercial fleets to replace cumbersome employee reimbursement processes for home EV charging with a more accurate, controlled and streamlined alternative for employers and employees.

Combined with Allstar’s market-leading on-the-road EV charging capabilities, fleet managers now have access to a comprehensive suite of turnkey EV charging solutions that will help effectively manage their transition to EVs.

The shareholders of Mina were advised by a team from Clarion including Sarah Harrison and Santino Stifanelli.

The deal follows FLEETCOR’s recent acquisition of Plugsurfing and investment in Zap-Map, which both complement the extensive on-the-road fuel and EV network built by Allstar across the UK.

In addition, Allstar continues to invest significantly in building out products and capabilities that not only help fleets move to EVs but also solve the complexities associated with managing mixed fleets.

Alan King, group president, Global Fleet at Fleetcor, said: “Our goal is to provide companies of all sizes with a better way to pay. In the fleet space specifically, this acquisition means that our customers can now benefit from a full suite of comprehensive payment and reporting solutions for on-the-road and home charging regardless of whether they operate ICE, EV, or mixed fleets.”

Tom Rowlands, global MD of EV solutions at Fleetcor, added: “After working closely together with Mina for two years and seeing first-hand how the solution makes home charging simple, fair and secure for both employees and companies that operate some of the largest fleets in the UK, I am excited to officially welcome the Mina team to Fleetcor.”

“Unifying Mina with Fleetcor enables us to roll out this market-leading home charging solution more easily and quickly, not just in the UK, but also take it to other geographies.”

Ashley Tate, CEO and Co-Founder of Mina, commented: “In less than three years we’ve seen Mina grow from an idea to enabling some of the largest fleets in the UK to transition to EVs. None of this would have been possible without the support from Fleetcor, who have believed and invested in Mina since we first came under their radar back in 2021. I’m extremely excited to continue this journey with the Fleetcor team.”

Education News, Health & Welfare Headlines, News, Sheffield, University Headlines

Sheffield Scientist Receives Prestigious Honour For Fertility Research

A fertility expert from the University of Sheffield has been recognised for his exceptional contributions to pioneering research over the past 30 years.

Professor Allan Pacey is only the 38th Honorary Member of The British Fertility Society in its 50 year history. The prestigious award recognises his life-changing research on infertility, as well as his influential voice in the field through radio, film, television, and live events.

Previous recipients of the award include the late Professor Robert Edwards, who won a Nobel Prize in 2010 for the development of in vitro fertilisation.

Professor Allan Pacey, who is Head of the Departments of Oncology and Metabolism and Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Sheffield, said: “It is such an honour to receive this award – I am over the moon. My association with the British Fertility Society has been an absolute joy and I hope that I have managed in some small way to move the field forward during my career.”

Dr Raj Mathur, Chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: “Professor Pacey is a pre-eminent figure in Andrology and Fertility, whose contributions range from a wide portfolio of research to training of healthcare professionals and improved public understanding of the science of male reproduction. He has been a mentor to several researchers and clinicians and, as a previous Chair of the British Fertility Society, represented the entire fertility sector in the UK at a national and international level. We are delighted to be able to award him Honorary Membership of our Society as a mark of our esteem and gratitude for his work.”

Last month Professor Pacey published a scientific study which found that less than four in 100 men who apply to be sperm donors reach the end of the process and have samples frozen and released for treatments, despite there being a sperm donor shortage.

Additionally, last year he was part of an international study which for the first time discovered a new protein which helps sperm fuse with an egg and could improve fertility treatments in the future.

Professor Pacey first came to Sheffield in 1992 as a postdoctoral research assistant, after obtaining his PhD from the University of St. Andrews and working at a laboratory of the Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie. He was appointed as a Lecturer in 1997, Senior Lecturer in 2001 and subsequently promoted to Professor in 2015.

He has appeared on countless TV series, radio shows and in newspapers to explain the science behind human reproduction and infertility.

Previously, Professor Pacey has been recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in 2014, and in 2016 he was also awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to reproductive medicine.