A new health and social care system is key to Greater Manchester’s devolution strategy.

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, spelled out the importance of a new look health care model as, together with Sir Malcolm Grant, NHS England’s Chairman, he opened the Health and Innovation Expo 2015.

Addressing more than 5,000 delegates on the first day of Expo at Manchester central, Sir Howard added: “I believe passionately that we will witness a health and social care system that will manifest itself and become even more attractive for economic growth.”

Sir Malcolm Grant spoke of the various initiatives in place to drive new models of care forward, such as the Vanguards, adding: “The over-arching test of successful innovation will be can we do more for less?

He added: “In Manchester, with the Government and the councils of Greater Manchester, we are undertaking one of the most profound changes for health care. It is a collaboration that will make the best of what we have.”