Medtech and the NHS – how far will Labour stray from the Government’s position?

Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, chair of the Urology Trade Association, a trustee of the Institute of Medical Ethics and a governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, updates readers on Labour’s vision for the NHS and medtech.

Creating an NHS fit for the future. This was the message at the heart of 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 given that in its 75-year history the health service has never been in such a grave state. Indeed, Starmer said the NHS would not survive under five more years of Tory leadership - echoing Tony Blair’s infamous campaign claiming voters only had days to save the NHS.

With the general election campaign looming, the future of the NHS will certainly become a key political battleground in the months ahead. Historically, there have always been stark differences between the two main political parties in the UK when it comes to health policy, but beneath the usual rhetoric that we have come to expect from both sides, there is an alignment of the Conservatives and Labour Party that deep and long-term changes are required to deliver an NHS fit for the future. “Reform for renewal” Labour terms it. 

Undoubtedly, the growing policy consensus between the parties has been shaped by circumstance. The pandemic destabilised global supply chains and aggravated an already lengthy elective backlog that only seems to be growing. Though Labour would say the issues had been laid bare for some time, COVID-19 certainly illuminated profound challenges within the health service.

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

The benefits to public health of embracing medtech are well documented: speeding up diagnoses, improving treatment and putting patients in control of their own care. Yet medtech also generates substantial benefits for the economy and the UK life sciences sector. Indeed, the Labour leader made the economic case for embracing medtech on a recent visit to Scotland, where spending on research and development has typically lagged.

Whilst the actual policy may not differ significantly, the dividing lines will continue to be: one, the workforce (or lack of) and two, funding. On the latter, Starmer has said that he is prepared to put his money where his mouth is, but some fear he is being too ambiguous on where this will come from, and how Labour intends to fund the NHS longer term if – or when – they are in Government. 

Whatever the result of next year’s election, it seems unlikely that a significant restructuring of the NHS is on the horizon. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are still in their infancy, and although fraught with issues, it’s hard to see a full-scale overhaul materialising given the other priorities for action. 

However the next Government is formed, it will face huge expectations to deliver on health and social care and to create an NHS fit for purpose. Where the direction of travel is largely similar, those fighting for the top spot will need to demonstrate that they are responsible, passionate, and ambitious enough to deliver on their policies.

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