Keeping up with the science: Innovation in the health and care system post Brexit

Article

Innovation in health – new treatments, technologies and processes – can help drive improvements in healthcare and ultimately health outcomes. We are on the cusp of a new wave of innovation driven by robotics, big data and therapeutic breakthroughs such as cell and gene therapy.

However, the history of innovation in the UK shows that the health and care system is often slow to adopt new technologies. The government has tried to address the causes of this problem, most recently through the Accelerated Access Review (AAR) and Life Sciences (Industrial) Strategy.

Although these initiatives offer a number of sensible policy suggestions, the reality is that they will fail to deliver on their potential without a Brexit deal that prioritises health and care; a new long-term funding settlement for health and care; and a clear plan for system reform in the NHS.

Related items

  1. Towards universal opportunity for young people

    Outlining a vision for young people which could increase social mobility while also reducing inequality and disadvantage, so that every young person has the opportunity to build a decent life.

  2. Harry Quilter-Pinner on Channel 4 News discussing one year of Labour and Starmer in power

  3. One year in: the government is making decent down payments for the years ahead

    It’s fair to say it hasn’t been a straightforward first year for the government.