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Textile materials are at the heart of an increasing variety of devices used in healthcare for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness and injury, as well to control infection. With the shift towards stratification and personalisation of healthcare and a pressing need for cost-effective technology that can be readily accessed by all, the CCTMIH’s strategy is to develop new enabling technologies based on advances in textile science and engineering that respond directly to the needs of patients and clinicians.

Our Role

The Clothworkers’ Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH) was established following the award of a generous grant by the Clothworkers’ Foundation. The Clothworkers’ Foundation was set up by The Clothworkers’ Company in 1977 and aims to improve the lives of people and communities, particularly those facing disadvantage. The global population is predicted to increase to ca. 13 billion by 2067. An increasing, as well as an ageing population is expected to intensify the global demand for high quality, cost-effective healthcare products that can be readily accessed by all. New materials, manufacturing processes and finishing technologies are required to support existing and future product demands that rely on textile materials for their function. Many of these healthcare applications affect millions of people worldwide but significant technical challenges still need to be overcome in terms of product design and engineering.