A Liverpool Institute of Child Health and Wellbeing was announced by Wes Streeting, secretary of state for health and social care, during a special visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The academic collaboration between Alder Hey and the University of Liverpool, is set to transform the lives and life chances of children and young people through research and innovation.

Liverpool is the third most deprived local authority in England, with over three in 10 children living in poverty.

Child poverty is known to lead to worse health outcomes and so, tackling the region’s most prevalent resulting health and wellbeing issues, including mental health and obesity, will be at the core of the Institute’s strategy. The impact of these innovations will ultimately improve the lives of children regionally, across the UK and internationally.

Streeting said: “I’m delighted to be here to open the new Liverpool Institute for Child Health and Wellbeing, which is undertaking cutting-edge research to improve the care of children and young people.

“Unfortunately, we know that across the country, too many children and young people are not receiving the care they deserve, and waits for services are too long. So, I’m grateful that Alder Hey are leading the way and investing in the research we need to turn things around.

“I want to ensure every child has a healthy and happy start to life, and improving children’s services is a vital part of our 10-year Health Plan that will build an NHS that is fit for the future.”

With an initial investment of £2.5 million from Alder Hey, the University and Alder Hey Children’s Charity, the Liverpool Institute of Child Health and Wellbeing will be recruiting to a number of research positions in the coming months.

Louise Shepherd CBE, chief executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Institute will play a pivotal role in helping us to tackle the most urgent and serious problems facing children and young people.  It will accelerate progress in improving the lives and life chances of children and young people, in our region and beyond, today and in the future."

She said the collaboration with the University of Liverpool "will strengthen our capability for clinical research and innovation to bring children better care, medicines and treatments, and prevent diseases using the latest technologies."