Working together to deliver research opportunities
10 July 2025
Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea University are extending their partnership to help improve the health and well-being of communities in south-west Wales after signing a new agreement.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a ceremony at St David’s Park, Carmarthen on Wednesday, 9 July which commits to a partnership in several areas, including research and development, enterprise and innovation and workforce, education and training.
The next chapter of the research and innovation partnership will see projects including a strengthening collaboration with the National Network for Innovation in Sport and Health (NNIISH) - an exciting initiative aimed at driving innovation across life sciences, health, and sports sectors.
Hywel Dda’s Chief Executive, Dr Phil Kloer, Swansea University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle, Dr Leighton Phillips, Director of Research, Innovation and Value and Professor Charlotte Rees, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science celebrated their ongoing commitment at a ceremony to thank existing and new honorary appointees for all they do to make the partnership a success.
Dr Kloer said: “Swansea University and Hywel Dda have a long-established partnership, which is so important when it comes to improving the health, wealth and wellbeing of our communities and the development of a local workforce.
“The signing of the MoU builds on this relationship and gives us the opportunity to reflect on the good work that we have already undertaken together and to look forward to the good work we will do together in the future.
“It also recognises that strength and depth of partnership is only possible through the contributions of staff working across both organisations and we are really pleased to be continuing to work with the university.”
Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University said: “The signing of this new MoU reflects the trusted and highly effective partnership between Swansea University and Hywel Dda University Health Board. We look forward to the next stage of our collaboration, through which will continue to focus on delivering innovation and high-impact projects of benefit to our region.”
Dr Leighton Phillips said:
“Meaningful partnerships with organisations such as Swansea University are important to us. Partnerships bring resources, momentum, understanding and know-how to the process of research and innovation. They maximise its potential to have a positive impact on our employees, the services we provide, and the outcomes delivered with our communities.
“This new Memorandum of Understanding is about re-affirming our commitment to working closely with Swansea University to benefit the health and wellbeing of our region.
“This expands on the ambition of our newly launched Research and Development Strategic Plan, which includes plans to promote staff development and increase participation in commercial research over the next five years.”
Several developments over recent years demonstrate what the partnership can deliver across the region.
This includes the development of world-leading simulation rooms, SUSIM which give student doctors, nurses and midwives realistic training with hi-tech manikins to prepare them for treating patients when they qualify. A new £7m facility has been developed at Swansea's Singleton Park Campus, with a satellite site at Parc Dewi Sant, Carmarthen.
Further research and innovation projects include joint appointments with the Health Technology Centre to support life science company product design along with collaborative evaluations with the Joint Clinical Research Facility (JCRF) aimed at improving preventative approaches to cardiovascular disease.
The partnership has also connected on academic support for Biophilic Hospital Design – which seeks to create buildings that connect people with nature.
ENDS