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Topic : Type : Consultation Response

Executive Summary

His Majesty’s Government has been clear about the need to embrace and deliver its Growth Mission, and the Department for Health and Social Care’s ‘Three Shifts’. ABHI recognises the need for prioritisation to meet these challenges and build an NHS Fit for the Future, with the HealthTech sector at the heart of reforms. However, the scale of challenge is great, and the urgency with which action is needed is acute.

With combined economic and regulatory headwinds impacting the HealthTech sector, the UK risks a reduction in inward investment, and risks innovative companies removing products from the UK market or withdrawing from the market altogether – each of which will impact on growth in the UK economy, as well as a reduction in life saving and life enhancing innovations in the NHS.

Without support for the sector, the challenges faced by Government and the NHS will continue, and meeting the ambitions of the Growth Mission and the Three Shifts will be impeded.

ABHI recommends a clear focus in support for the sector, including:

• The integration of priorities through the 10-Year Health Plan, Life Sciences Sector Plan, Industrial Strategy, NHS Innovation and Adoption Strategy and Spending Review, and each of their respective delivery mechanisms to ensure success.
• Strong regulatory signal for the sector through the implementation of international reliance, indefinite recognition of CE marking.
• A commitment around partnership and communication with the sector, to drive meaningful collaboration around joint aims and objectives.
• Support for innovators from R&D right through to deployment, to deliver economic growth and help transform the NHS and deliver better patient outcomes.

ABHI's full submission can be accessed here.