Curia’s Health, Care, and Life Sciences Research Group has submitted their implementation plan for how a new government can implement their plans for a new Life Sciences Industrial Strategy. Subscribers will receive an exclusive copy of the report.
New subscribers will receive a copy of the report, alternatively a copy can be purchased at www.chamberuk.com/shop.
Despite the UK Government’s ongoing prioritisation of life sciences, the sector’s performance reveal a concerning trend. The UK’s share in global research and development (R&D) is shrinking, the number of clinical trials is decreasing, and access to new medicines lags other European countries. The forthcoming General Election presents a crucial and overdue opportunity to leverage the nation’s substantial resources, including world-class universities, cutting-edge scientific expertise, and the NHS, while capitalising on the UK’s leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation.
For a new Government, it is imperative that any new Life Sciences Industrial Strategy avoids past mistakes and involves clinical leaders and NHS managers from the outset. Curia’s Health, Care, and Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan, in collaboration with the London School of Economics (LSE), unites experts from industry and the NHS to develop actionable, pragmatic recommendations that can be swiftly implemented.
It is important to stress that the remit of this work is not to replace strategies already published, but to support the effective implementation of reports already published. Following a meeting with the Shadow Ministerial team earlier this month, the report outlines five strategic priorities and public policy recommendations designed to guide the implementation of party manifestos following the outcome of the next general election.
Key Learning: Clinical Engagement
- Clinically Engaged Approach Delivered in Partnership with NHS Managers
A key departure from previous strategies is the emphasis on aligning with NHS priorities and improving patient care. The report highlights the critical role a life sciences strategy plays in sustaining the NHS and ensuring its implementation is clinically engaged. By integrating clinical leaders and NHS managers early in the process, the strategy can more effectively address the practical needs of healthcare delivery.
The importance of this approach cannot be overstated. Historically, there has been a disconnect between the strategic goals set at the governmental level and the operational realities faced by the NHS. This disconnect has often led to policies that are difficult to implement or that do not address the immediate needs of patient care. By bringing clinical leaders and NHS managers into the conversation from the beginning, the new strategy aims to create a more cohesive and practical framework that can be readily adopted across the NHS.
Furthermore, this clinically engaged approach ensures that the strategies developed are not only theoretically sound but also practically viable. Clinical leaders bring invaluable insights into patient care, which can help shape policies that directly improve patient outcomes. Involving NHS managers ensures that these policies are operationally feasible and can be integrated into the existing healthcare system without causing disruptions.
Case Study
- Genomics Plc, the HEART study: Improving prevention of cardiovascular disease with genetics
Genomics Plc’s HEART study integrates genetic information into cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in the UK. The NHS Health Check program uses QRISK tools to predict 10-year CVD risk. The study added polygenic risk scores (PRS) to these assessments in primary care, involving 832 participants. Results showed 90.7% of healthcare professionals found genetics could be easily incorporated, and 98.8% of participants found the test personally useful. The inclusion of PRS led to changes in clinical management for 27.8% of participants. This demonstrates the potential for genetic information to enhance CVD prevention, aligning with NHS strategies and improving population health.
How to Get Involved
The Curia report, developed in partnership with the LSE, and sponsors IQVIA and Genomics PLC offers a comprehensive blueprint for revitalising the UK’s life sciences sector. By focusing on clinically engaged approaches, investment and growth, regulatory frameworks, clinical uptake, and robust governance, the report provides a clear path forward for leveraging the UK’s strengths. For those in the public sector and Curia subscribers, the reader will see recommendations that aim to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of life sciences innovation, delivering tangible benefits for patients and the economy alike.
Following the outcome of the general election, the new Government must take decisive action to harness the UK’s world-leading scientific expertise, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and pioneering AI capabilities. With the right strategic priorities and public policy measures in place, the UK can reclaim its position as a global leader in life sciences and secure a sustainable future for its healthcare system.
Implementing these recommendations will require commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders involved. That means we need your help. Over the coming months, Curia will work with the new Government to help them implement the recommendations in this report, supporting with views about best ways to operationalise their manifesto commitments. To do this we require the help of the NHS to feed in their thoughts and for the life sciences sector to highlight examples of best practice that will highlight new ways of working.
For those who will be able to read the evidence contained in the report, the case studies and the recommendations, your feedback will be incredibly helpful – not just for the Health, Care, and Life Sciences Advisory Board, but also for new Ministers as they navigate their implementation plans.
The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. By working together, the UK can create a vibrant and dynamic life sciences sector that drives innovation, improves patient outcomes, and contributes to economic growth.
This is just one of the articles that features in the Health, Care and Life Sciences section of Chamber UK’s pre-election journal. To gain full access, please subscribe here.
