Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) has welcomed the publication of the National Health Service (NHS) England report, “The Innovation Ecosystem Programme – how the UK can lead the way globally in health and life sciences powered growth” as a powerful, and practical, blueprint for an effective innovation ecosystem to improve the NHS, crafted by those within the NHS who understand its inner workings.
It is also a very useful source of information, opinion, and aspiration for the NHS to support economic growth by coordinating the adoption of innovation at scale. The report’s recommendations mirror much of the earlier ambition and call to our new government set out in the Thames Valley’s Health and Life Sciences working group Manifesto for investment, health and growth, published earlier in 2024.
Health and Life Sciences Working Group (HLSWG) Chair, Sue Staunton, Joint-Managing Director at James Cowper Kreston said on the ambition of the Thames Valley region to advance its global reputation as a world leader in the field of health and life sciences:
Our working group Manifesto included a range of asks of government. These included asks to move to a value-based procurement model for the NHS; the digitalization of the healthcare system; the modernisation of healthcare and driving of innovation; the establishment of a consistent, long-term, regulatory, and fiscal framework; and the setting in place of the foundations for greater investment and incentives to secure UK manufacturing of medicine. Given the report’s ‘next steps’ ambition to ‘get on with the priority actions’, we welcome the opportunity to work with the Innovation Ecosystem Programme (IEP) by providing support from the direct experience of our membership.
HLSWG member, Andrew Barrett, Head of Commercial, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said, “The discovery, accumulation, assimilation and dissemination of real-world evidence is key to effective, sustainable, patient-centred innovation in health. The UK is uniquely positioned to develop the vast data and talent resources of its publicly funded NHS in collaboration with forward – looking, properly – resourced and fully – committed Life Science sector partners. This timely and welcome report is evidence of how the sectors can work together to solve identified, targeted, under – met and unmet clinical need. Its honesty and pragmatism in highlighting where and how things could, should and must develop, in order that the benefits of this enormous system potential be realised, is both motivating and inspiring to all who are involved.”
The NHS England report outlines five emerging findings, that build on the solid foundations that exist, focus on the biggest priorities, and set a consistent, longer-term vision for delivery. The Chamber were pleased to see the emphasis on partnership and the need to work with the key stakeholders that can help realise the opportunities and greater scale of ambition, best delivered through cross-sectoral collaboration.
In line with the HLSWG Manifesto, the Chamber were encouraged to see a series of ‘next stage’ recommendations including the need to make innovation core to NHS business, simplify and strengthen structures, align procurements to facilitate rollout of tested innovations (effectively), develop commercial approaches (that are value, not price, driven), build the right skills and capabilities and mobilise local/regional systems to lead on priority innovations.
Paul Britton, Chief Executive of TVCC comments:
The Chambers Thames Valley’s Health and Life Sciences Working Group is now an impressive, well established network that is providing an independent forum for businesses to engage with policy makers. We were particularly pleased to read of the real benefits for shared learning and support and the value that this work in such a vital sector brings to our members and the wider business community.
The Chamber is also pleased to share that two of the IEP Advisory Group will be joining as speakers, at the next Windsor Debates – “The Foundations for UK growth – health and life sciences” which takes places in March 2025.
Peter Ellingworth, Chief Executive, Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) – “Collaboration has been key to this, demonstrating exactly what is possible when we align our efforts toward a common goal of improving patient outcomes and securing the NHS’s future through innovation. Personally, it was a privilege to co-chair the workstream ‘Preparing for the NHS of Tomorrow,’ and HealthTech – encompassing medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and genomics – has a critical role in that future. I look forward to supporting the implementation of this work, across the Thames Valley and beyond. Through ongoing engagement with the Health Innovation Network, including Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley, where I have the pleasure of Chairing, we can ensure this blueprint lays the foundation for lasting improvements to our health service and the patients it serves. For this to succeed, however, and as highlighted in the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce’s recent manifesto for investment, health and growth in the Thames Valley, procurement must act as a true enabler, paving the way for innovation to be adopted and scaled sustainably across the health service.”
Professor Gary Ford, Chief Executive, Health Innovation Oxford, and Thames Valley – who led the ‘Learning by Doing’ element, said: “This workstream generated insights from successful national innovation adoption programmes, identifying common factors behind successful implementation. Achieving widespread adoption across the NHS relies on aligning the expertise of Health Innovation Network (HIN) teams with national policy, programmes and clinical leadership.”
Gary added: “It is critical that all of the report’s recommendations are taken forward through the Government’s forthcoming ten-year health plan, life sciences sector plan and the innovation and adoption strategy”.
To find out more about:
- The report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/the-innovation-ecosystem-programme/
- The Thames Valley Health and Life Sciences Working Group in partnership with James Cowper Kreston and Green Park (Mapletree) – to get involved contact Joe Richings. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 12th February 2025 with keynote speaker Stuart Carroll from Moderna.
- More information on the March Windsor Debates.
- Professor Gary Ford’s LinkedIn post.
