Future of Healthcare Conference:

We were at the New Statesman’s Future of Healthcare Conference this week which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and healthcare experts to explore solutions to rebuild the NHS that will improve patient outcomes and address the challenges facing our healthcare systems.

Speaking to an engaged audience, our Chief Executive, Clare Pelham joined a panel to discuss how research and development can unlock a new era of positive patient outcomes? Clare was joined by James Hedgeland, Director of Flint Global and Dr Sam Barrell, Chief Executive Officer of LifeArc.

The event was chaired by Jon Bernstein, Former Deputy Editor, New Statesman 

Key takeaways

• Clare Pelham discussed the political nature of research, emphasising the need to recruit talent from around the world.
• Dr Barrell emphasised the importance of delivery, warning of the risks facing the UK’s life sciences sector.
• James Hedgeland went further in detailing the specific threats facing the UK’s life sciences sector.

Opening remarks 

Clare Pelham, Chief Executive, Epilepsy Society:

• Said research is political, especially life sciences research, because it requires funding, which is dependent on government.
• Said it is good that research is political, because research needs government support to succeed.
• Emphasised the need for talent around the world to contribute to leading research, and that the immigration system should be efficient as a result.
• Said the Epilepsy Society is on the brink of investing £93 million into research, but a final decision has not been made for the past two years because of planning issues.
• Politics should have people at its heart, and that people prioritise good health over good wealth.

Dr Sam Barrell, Chief Executive Officer, LifeArc:

• Explained the work of LifeArc, saying they aim to get treatments to patients faster.
• Explained the importance of tackling rare diseases, highlighting the low numbers of patients having access to treatment.
• Said the UK has strong ambition and some momentum in this area, backed up with multiple plans.
• Said there is no point in having a plan if you cannot deliver on it.
• Warned that if the UK does not act, it will fall behind other countries and not be seen as a global superpower in science and technology, which will also have a human cost.

James Hedgeland, Director, Flint Global

• Said the commercial environment has been a consistent complaint of the life sciences sector, with the UK spending comparably little on medicines.
• Said the UK’s position as a life sciences leader is under pressure, explaining this is due to a variety of reasons, including VPAGs, the NICE threshold, global competitiveness, and Donald Trump.
• Highlighted the threat posed to UK life sciences by Donald Trump, which could disincentivise companies from investing in the UK.

Q&A session

Opportunities offered by uncertainty in the US

Asked by Mr Bernstein about uncertainty from the US, and if there is an opportunity there, James Hedgeland said the UK Government will likely concede on demands about medicines pricing, which could lead to more opportunity for the sector. He added that the US is becoming a more difficult research environment, which could present some opportunities. However, he said the overall uncertainty is negative. 

Dr Barrell said there should be a focus on what the UK gets right and what is not working. She argued we should think more about how to support the MHRA and NHS in setting up clinical trials. She said NICE should not be a blocker of innovative approvals.

Clare Pelham said it is hard to manage a medicines supply chain, and this is being made worse by irregularity of supply. She said a significant number of hospital deaths are occurring because of shortages.

Gap between words and actions

Asked by Mr Bernstein about the gulf between words and actions, Clare Pelham said there is a gap between policymaking civil servants and those who know how to deliver on the ground. She said there needs to be more thought about the operationalisation of policy. 

James Hedgeland agreed on the difficulty of delivery and its importance. 

Dr Barrell said public will is the starting point, since this influences political will. She emphasised the importance of a positive environment for the life sciences sector. She said the right leaders are needed.

Role of universities

Asked how universities can become an integral part of the healthcare system, Clare Pelham discussed the Epilepsy Society’s work with UCL and UCLH, which brings research and healthcare together well. 

Dr Barrell highlighted biomedical research centres which bring academics and hospitals together. She said the importance of health varies by university. 

James Hedgeland said universities are essential, playing an important part in research decisions, which is why investment is often around the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

Funding for women’s health

Asked about ensuring funding reaches underfunded areas, such as women’s health, Clare Pelham said there is a lot of awareness, but not much money is provided. She highlighted the poor situation in maternity services. 

Dr Barrell said funding for women’s health is getting better. She explained that those looking for investment must have a compelling case. 

James Hedgeland said getting money behind women’s health has consistently been an issue.

Medical research

Asked about improving representation in medical research, Clare Pelham emphasised the importance of patient-centred research. 

James Hedgeland said this should be a strength of the NHS, and the Government should encourage more interaction with the health service to improve representative research.

Life sciences and immigration

Asked if some politicians’ “obsession” with reducing immigration is holding the UK back, James Hedgeland said the increase in skilled migration under Boris Johnson was good for the life sciences sector. He explained the importance of attracting talent from around the world. 

Dr Barrell said science is a global game, emphasising the importance of diversity of thought. She said a global approach to life sciences is needed, and extra barriers to bringing talent in are hurdles to this. She explained that an unwelcoming environment will lead to the brightest minds not coming to the UK. 

Clare Pelham agreed about the risks of an unwelcoming environment. She said making it harder for international students to study in the UK weakens our soft power, as those students will be less likely to come back to work in the UK?

Is research all South based?

Asked how all regions can benefit from research, Clare Pelham said there is a perception that most money goes to the South and there is not equal benefit across regions. 

James Hedgeland said there are more life sciences centres in the North than people think. He spoke of the importance of improving access to clinical trials. 

Dr Barrell highlighted investment in rare disease centres across the UK by LifeArc, which connect to other organisations all over the country. She said academics are good at collaborating, but this should be made more structured.

Closing remarks

James Hedgeland, Director, Flint Global:

• Said the sector has a huge amount to offer the UK, and the Government should support it.

Dr Sam Barrell, Chief Executive Officer, LifeArc:

• Said the ambition is there, and it is now time to deliver.

Clare Pelham, Chief Executive, Epilepsy Society:

• Emphasised the importance of patient voice.