Medtech and the NHS – how far will Labor stray from the government’s position?

Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation whitehouse communicationsThe President of the Urology Trade Association, a Trustee of the Institute of Medical Ethics and a Governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, updates readers on Labor’s vision for the NHS and MedTech.

Making the NHS fit for the future. That was the message in Sir Keir Starmer’s speech last month, during which he laid out Labour’s vision for health reform. A worthy aspiration, yes, yet one very difficult to achieve, because never in its 75-year history has healthcare been in such dire straits. Indeed, Starmer said the NHS would not survive under five more years of Tory leadership – echoing Tony Blair’s infamous campaign claim that voters only had days to save the NHS.

With the upcoming general election campaign, the future of the NHS is sure to become a major political battleground in the coming months. Historically, there have always been differences of opinion between the two main political parties in the UK when it comes to health policy, but under the general rhetoric we have come to expect from both sides, there is an alignment of the Conservative and Labor parties that will shape the future. Deep and long-term changes are needed to deliver the NHS fit for duty. “Reform for renewal” is what Labor calls it.

Undoubtedly, circumstances have shaped the growing policy consensus between the parties. The pandemic destabilized global supply chains and exacerbated an already long alternative backlog that is only growing. Although Labor would say the issues were laid bare for the time being, COVID-19 certainly shone a light on the profound challenges within the health service.

The pandemic highlighted the critical role of medical technology in providing an effective healthcare system and has consequently accelerated government efforts to boost the sector. In his speech, Starmer touted science and technology as a “game changer”, and this is a striking point of agreement between the two major parties, as is recognition that the private sector has its own role to play in defeating capacity and innovation. Is. backlog.

The public health benefits of adopting MedTech are well documented: speeding diagnosis, improving treatment, and putting patients in control of their own care. Yet medtech generates substantial benefits for the economy and the UK’s life sciences sector. Indeed, the Labor leader made the economic case for embracing medtech on a recent visit to Scotland, where spending on research and development has generally lagged behind.

While the actual policy may not differ significantly, the dividing lines will remain: one, the workforce (or lack thereof) and two, money. On the latter, Starmer has said he is willing to put his money where his mouth is, but some fear he has been too clear on where it will come from, and how Labor will be able to fund the NHS over the long term. intends to – or when – they are in government.

Whatever the outcome of next year’s election, it does not appear that a significant restructuring of the NHS is on the horizon. Integrated Care Systems (ICS) are still in their infancy, and although fraught with issues, a full-scale overhaul is difficult to materialize given the other priorities for action.

However the next government is formed, it will face huge expectations to deliver health and social care and to make the NHS fit for purpose. While the direction of travel remains largely the same, those fighting for the top spot will need to demonstrate that they are responsible, passionate and ambitious in carrying out their policies.

Questions or comments about this article can be addressed to the author at chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.