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. Dramatic high-angle drone photograph of decommissioned oil platforms anchored in the Cromarty Firth, near Invergordon, Scotland, as the sun sets over a calm North Sea

    Allies for delivery: Rebuilding faith in Scottish politics via the North Sea

    Can Scottish politicians still build enough of a consensus to deliver meaningful change for disillusioned voters?
  2. A busy high street in Kingston-upon-Thames, London. Shoppers walking beneath multi-coloured bunting

    Bricks vs clicks: The case for an online sales tax

    It's time to rethink how we tax retail.
  3. A pound coin sits on top of a newspaper showing an image of a line graph

    Cost of living, economic growth and stability: How to make this autumn budget a success

    In the autumn budget the chancellor can take three steps towards improving people's living standards.