North East (United Kingdom)

North East

The North East of England has a population of about 2.5 million and covers a geographical area of 9000 square kilometres. The North East is the smallest and most northerly of the English regions. The region has a strong cultural identity and a long industrial heritage of heavy engineering which is in part responsible for some of the poor health of the region’s population. On most health and economic indicators the North East is one of the worst performing English regions.

Facts about North East

• Area of 9,000 sq.km
• Population 2.5 million
• Five Universities
• Two major ports
• Two international airports
• Cities and towns – Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland

The Region is highly accessible via its two major ports and two international airports.

North East England boasts five universities and has several vibrant cities and towns including Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.

Government

There is no regional governance structure in place within the English regions, a 2004 referendum on regional governance in the North East region was overwhelming rejected and there are no national plans for elected regional bodies. Local Authorities are run by elected representatives of local communities and provide a range of services for local people, including education, and social care. Regional level responsibilities are carried out through non-government organisations (NGOs) or regional offices of national government departments.  Within the North East the key regional bodies are: Government Office for the North East (a collection of national government departments within the region); One North East, responsible for most of the economic development within the Region; North East Assembly acts as a voice for the region and has some statutory responsibilities, particularly in respect of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Economy

Economic growth currently exceeds that of London, the South East and is higher than the national average. The proportion of new business survivals is higher than it has been for many years and our business failure rate is similar to the national average. In fact, during 2003 the North East was the most active region outside of London for ‘hi-tech’ business start-ups. North East England has seen year on year reductions in unemployment levels since the turn of the century. Since 2000, unemployment has fallen from 108,000 to 64,000 (April 2005). Unemployment as a percentage of the economically active population has dropped from 7.1% in 2001 to 5.9% in 2004 and unemployment rates in the region are now falling faster than the national level.

The region is now recognised by Europe as the leading UK region putting science and technology at the heart of its economic strategy In this respect is has become the model for all UK regions to copy, offering a variety of trade and investment opportunities. Science Parks such as Knowledge Campus and Netpark are supporting this high-tech industry growth, as is major investment into the region’s key sector strengths of health sciences, new and renewable energy and process industries. Creative industries such as content-based businesses, which include computer games and video production, are now growing faster in North East England than in any other region of England. There are over 2,800 creative businesses operating in North East England, employing around 26,000 people.  According to Rebecca Harding of the London Business School, of those firms that have started life in the region in the past three years, 20% are using or selling technology, which was not available a year ago. In Britain as a whole, the figure is 11%. Only London has a higher rate of tech start-ups than North East England.

Health System

The National Health Service (NHS) provides a range of health care services in the region, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental and ophthalmic services.  Services are provided through local organisations such as NHS Hospital Trusts (more recently some NHS Foundation Trusts) who have responsibility for providing health care services and Primary Care Trusts, who have responsibility for commissioning, both primary and secondary health care services on behalf of their population.  Strategic Health Authorities have responsibility for managing NHS organisations within their geographic area.  Each of the NHS organisations has a Chairman and Members appointed nationally by the Secretary of State for Health. The North East currently has 10 NHS Trusts (including Mental Health and Ambulance Trusts), 16 Primary Care Trusts and 2 Strategic Health Authorities, although there are currently proposals out for consultation to reduce the number of Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities.

ONE North East Regional Development Agency

ONE North East is both the lead partner of Health ClusterNET and the North East of England regional partner.  One North East is the Regional Development Agency with a role to 'help the people of the North East to create and sustain jobs, prosperity and a higher quality of life.'  One North East has the key responsibility of developing a Regional Economic Strategy for the region. One North East works closely with a range of organisations, particularly the Strategic Health Authorities and the Regional Director of Public Health to deliver the objectives of Health ClusterNET.