Life Sciences Council Update & Invitation to Shape Future Discussions
This week marked the first meeting of the Life Sciences Council under the new Government. The Council is a key forum that allows us to represent your interests directly to senior ministers and officials. Chaired by the Secretaries of State for Health and Science, it provides an important platform to ensure the voice of the HealthTech sector is heard at the highest levels.
I was delighted to represent our industry along with ABHI Vice Chair, Suzanne Holden from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Nerida Scott from Johnson & Johnson, and Deepak Nath from Smith+Nephew.
Ahead of the meeting, I held productive discussions with both Secretaries, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP and Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, and Richard Phillips engaged with their respective special advisors. In all the meetings an open and honest partnership approach was emphasised, and the role of HealthTech in delivering the Government's ambitions was recognised. We raised critical issues facing our sector, not least the dichotomy between ambitions to support the Life Sciences industry as a key enabler of economic growth for our country, and the headwinds being created by initiatives such as the proposed fee increases by the MHRA, and NICE’s Late Stage Assessment programme.
During the meeting, also attended by Baroness Merron, Lord Vallance, and Lord Darzi, we highlighted both the significant opportunities and the challenges that needed to be overcome. Following a highly productive day, Suzanne and I joined a Reception at the Science Museum hosted by Wes Streeting, where we were able to enjoy candid conversations with Council members and other senior figures in the health and care ecosystem.
Specific follow-ups are already underway, which we hope to be able to convey shortly, with a programme of engagement planned to contribute to the upcoming Industrial Strategy and NHS 10-Year Health Plan. To keep you informed and provide an opportunity for input, ABHI will be hosting a member webinar on 29th October, 12:00 - 12:45. During this session, we will update you on our ongoing efforts and how you can contribute. Register here.
This week's extensive engagement positions us strongly to demonstrate how HealthTech can positively shape the future of the NHS.
I also greatly appreciate the substantial support of our Vice Chair, who dedicated significant time from preparation for the Council, through to activities on the day, engaging critical stakeholders across Government and the NHS throughout.
