The chair of the UK’s HealthTech Trade Association believes that the COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the need for small UK businesses to be a part of its membership.
Phil Kennedy, managing director Eschmann Technologies and chair of the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), said: “Businesses, and in particular, SMEs, need a strong and effective trade body like never before.
“We are seeing companies around us disappear and suppliers close their doors. For our business, we have never faced a challenge like this in our 180-year history. And so, we have been delighted with the efforts of our friends and colleagues within ABHI, who are sharing practical and useful advice with us almost daily. It’s encouraging to know our interests are being represented so effectively.”
From the outset of the crisis ABHI has been heavily involved in supporting its membership community to continue providing health technologies to the NHS. The Association has also delivered regulatory guidance to key government initiatives, such as the ventilator challenge, and is now working with the health service to ensure industry can safely support the restart of planned care.
James Urie, sales & marketing director, Mediplus said: “ABHI has been great at answering any and every question we have had on all things COVID-19 related. Their thinking ahead to whatever the new normal is, and putting across the industry viewpoint to the government, has been terrific, and long may it continue.”
As well as working to support small businesses in the near-term, the Association is planning a sustained programme of government engagement to further strengthen the UK’s healthtech sector. More resilient and scalable diagnostics infrastructure will be central to this, as well as dedicated help for British exporters as they look to connect with new global trading partners.
With 3,860 companies, healthtech is the largest employer within UK Life Sciences, and 89% of its businesses fall into the SME category. One of those businesses is Bristol-based P3 Medical.
Its managing director, Simon Talbot, added: “Running a smaller business can sometimes be a lonely place and I have relied on ABHI to help bridge the gap between a corporate mothership and an independent SME. The support offered has been invaluable and I strongly recommend membership.”
