Helen attended a roundtable event at the Liberal Democrat party conference to discuss how the UK life sciences sector can deliver benefits to patients and people’s lives. With representatives from BIA, Association of Medical Research Charities and the Lib Dem policy team, the attendees shared practical solutions around clinical trials, regulation, growth and market access. It was good to hear that Lib Dem policy on the NHS in these areas is broadly in line with the 10-Year Plan and Life Science Sector Plan, meaning all main parties – bar Reform – subscribe to broadly the same direction of travel, giving the health service a degree of political stability.
In attendance was Pippa Heylings, MP for South Cambridgeshire, which enabled a rich, policy-driven conversation centred on key issues for the sector. Her South Cambridgeshire patch is within the Golden Triangle, therefore the themes of innovation, investment, success, jobs and prosperity dominated and many examples of success were presented. The paradox, however, is that it is surrounded by one on the most deprived areas in the UK, and this meant that the challenges around health and wealth, access to healthcare, underrepresentation, education and opportunities, immigration and jobs were laid bare for the roundtable to address. What is clear is that a systemic approach is needed and the health of the public extends much further than the health service. It was agreed that more collaboration is needed with other sectors to achieve this.
There were representatives from companies too, who provided insight into their operations and how industry can support solutions to this inequality faced across the country, and leads from the British Heart Foundation and Blood Cancer UK. The Liberal Democrats have established a committee called LibStem, which aims to promote better understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths to the Party and the public, and possesses an established a network to support parliamentarians and policymakers.
Following the release of the NHS 10-Year Plan, there has been a marked increase in meetings such as this, which concentrate on delivery and implementation. This is encouraging as it demonstrates general cross-party, system and stakeholder buy-in. Collaboration can produce results and there is cautious optimism that industry is being recognised as a greater part of the solution. The challenge is that the system is inexperienced at this kind of collaboration and part of the solution will be to enable connections that have not previously been established.
We would like to thank the BIA – who we work closely with for the benefit of the UK life sciences ecosystem – for inviting us to contribute to their roundtable.
Beth and Helen are working on specific value propositions that can be utilised in delivery conversations with evidence and case studies. If you have any papers, case studies or testimonials which can help to show success in delivery of aspects of the plans, please email ben.kemp@bivda.org.uk. Please indicate if you would also be available to present them at events and meetings.
