Carney was introduced by one of his most influential backers, Mélanie Joly, to an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred Liberal Party supporters. Joly, who currently serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs under outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, told the crowd that the threats coming from the White House meant that “right now, we are facing a fantastic national unity moment” and cited Carney’s “management of the Brexit crisis in England” (as Governor) to emphasise his suitability to take on the fresh economic crisis brought on by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on most Canadian exports.

Following a warm embrace with Joly, the favourite for the Liberal leadership walked almost triumphantly to a lectern that stood against the dominating backdrop of the Canadian flag, to a rapturous applause.
Carney wasted no time in addressing the concerns held by Canadians about the new policies of the United States towards their country. He declared that “Trump attacks Canadian workers, families and businesses” and stated that “all proceeds [from the retaliatory tariffs imposed by Canada against the United States] should be used to protect our workers”. He further told the audience that, were Canada to remove the regulatory barriers to trade that exist between its provinces, the national GDP would increase by $200bn CAD, more than the trade war would cost the Canadian economy. “We can win for ourselves more than Trump can take away”, he argued.

In an attack on Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and his likely opponent for the premiership in the federal election due to be held before the end of this year, Carney said that “Poilievre worships the free market despite never earning a paycheck… Trump wants to divide and conquer, Poilievre wants to divide and be conquered”, hinting at Poilievre’s long record of being on the more populist wing of the Conservative Party since he was elected to the House of Commons in 2004, at age 24.

Emphasising his affinity for Quebec, Carney told supporters that “the USA does not understand the joie de vivre of French culture in Quebec” and that this is part of why Canada’s sovereignty would be a key priority of his government. Carney, being a second language speaker of French, made the majority of his remarks in Quebec’s proudly held national language. The expectation in Canada is that any Prime Minister should speak both of the country’s official languages, and while he appeared to hesitate at moments where the grammatical stucture of his sentences were more complicated, the largely Francophone crowd seemed satisfied with his abilities – even giving an apparently supportive chuckle at the one error he did make (and swiftly corrected).

Winning seats in Quebec has proven essential to the Parliamentary majority and pluralities held by the Liberals in the three federal elections since 2015, meaning that specific appeals to the province and its unique place in the Canadian federation would most likely a key part of any feasible strategy for Carney’s success in the looming election.

Concluding, Carney echoed the same sentiment pronounced by Foreign Minister Joly shortly before he took to the lectern: “Canada will never, never be a part of the United States”. Quebec, though often at odds with the rest of Canada over the preservation of its distinct culture and governance, this time finds itself fighting for the same ideals alongside the rest of Canada against the new administration of the United States.

Tonight, Liberal-supporting Quebecers seemed assured that their likely soon-to-be leader was the right candidate to lead their nation in this endeavour. Undoubtedly, Carney will be pondering how he can further provide this same assurance to Quebecers and Canadians, of all political stripes, in the few days leading up to when he finds out whether this task will truly be his, as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada.

Following several meetings with thought leaders and stakeholders from across the Life Sciences sector, policy institute Curia’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Programme for a New Government was launched last month. The first inquiry session focussed on ‘A Clinically Led Approach and Delivery with NHS Managers’. Chaired by former Chief Executive of NICE, Professor Gillian Leng, former Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, Dr Keith Ridge and former Health Minister, Professor Ann Keen, keynote speakers joined the Health, Care and Life Sciences Research Group. These included:

• Nicola Perrin MBE, Chief Executive, Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)
• Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer, Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin NHS Trust
• Sir Bruce Keogh, Chair, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Sir Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, NHS Providers

Research and Resources: A Mismatch?

Nicola Perrin began the meeting by highlighting the difficulty that the NHS has in embedding research into their work. The NHS, facing many challenges, has gone into a vicious cycle of survival, making sure that it delivers its statutory, basic requirements, but not having the resources to properly consider and then implement research. As Perrin said:

“Everyone is so burnt out with backlogs, with strikes, with winter pressures and everything else. So, research is often seen as that nice to have, but not really an essential part of the day job”.

She continued by highlighting the importance and benefits of ensuring that research is properly incorporated into NHS work, with these including better results for patients and better staff satisfaction.

Clinical Alignment with Present and the Future Priorities

Dr Nick White followed by discussing ways in which a Life Sciences Industrial Strategy would need to not only align with current priorities, but also align (or be adaptable to) the NHS’ changing, long-term priorities, to truly be a clinically led approach. Dr White mentioned the current alignment of finance, performance and quality within the NHS, and the opportunity to focus on long-term conditions outside of hospital settings. As he said:

“The UK has a high and rising number of people with multiple conditions. People are spending a greater proportion of their lives, with a long term condition, which impacts some quality of life compared to even a decade ago, and increasingly, people having more and more multiple long term conditions”.

For instance, increasing diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, arthritis, and mental health conditions mean that the life sciences sector must be involved, supporting the NHS in tackling these conditions and driving down the inequalities we see in treatment of these conditions.

Research and Resources: More Mismatch?

Sir Julian Hartley quickly returned to Perrin’s point about how best to bring research into the NHS, and how high pressure on finances, quality of delivery and clinical governance mean that few resources are dedicated to research. Hinting at a solution (the full recommendations of speakers and chairs will be made available to members of the Research Group and public sector workers), Hartley points out that:

“The importance of engaging across the big anchor institutions with a real focus on research and innovation is fundamental”.

The Public and the Private: Attracting Clinical Investment

Sir Bruce Keogh rounded off the opening presentations by drawing attention to the need and opportunity of investing in the NHS. Looking at ‘5 Fs‘, Keogh highlights the need for Focused priorities, Functionality of the NHS within the wider context of the national and global economy and health industry, Financial considerations specifically on inwards investment and new funding models for new technologies such as cell and gene therapies, Freedoms for specific areas of the NHS (allowing for greater subsidiarity within the NHS itself) and finally Formulating high-level strategies to be applicable to front line clinicians, thus ensuring a clinically-led approach within the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy

Health, Care and Life Sciences Research Group

As the Research Group continues the first phase of the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy Programme (and looks into launching similar work on oncology), we invite thought leaders to get involved.

We thank lead sponsors of the Programme: IQVIA and Genomics Plc.

Curia’s interim report will be launched after Easter, where we will be inviting supporters of Curia and members of the Research Group to attend. You can sign up to the Curia Newsletter here to be kept informed about our events and reports. Furthermore, members of the Research Group will gain access to the full work of the Programme, including the full recording of the inquiry session.

Finally, with the aim to showcase how to turn policy into practice, the Curia team are always interested in receiving case studies of best practice that may feed into this work. If you or a colleague might know about a case where policy was effectively delivered  into practice, please send details of the case study with learnings to team@curiauk.com. These will be shared with our Research Group Advisory Board, leaders in the NHS/public sector and Health, Care and Life Sciences Research Group members.

Preet opened with gratitude, acknowledging the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals, practitioners, and community leaders over the challenging past years, navigating a pandemic, industrial unrest, and neglect. She recognised the difficulties faced daily by those working in public health and highlighted the unprecedented importance of their roles.

Health Disparities

Pointing to the dire state of health services, Preet stated “One in seven of us are stuck on waiting lists, patient outcomes are declining, improvements in healthy life expectancy are stalling, and some 2.6 million people of working age are out of work and long term sick, a record high, and constituents pulling their own teeth out because they cannot get an NHS appointment. I could go on and on and nowhere is unaffected by the Tory health crisis”.

Preet also delved into the specific issues plaguing the region, emphasising the unique struggles faced by Birmingham and Solihull during the pandemic. She asserted “actually, here in our region, we’ve had it particularly bad. We went into the pandemic with record waiting lists, a workforce crisis in health and social care and an NHS unprepared for the challenges of the future. And then, during the pandemic, we saw how our diverse communities in Birmingham and Solihull. were pummelled the hardest. How inequalities widened and how disease preyed on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. For most people, this was a wake up call”.

Preet then pointed to the notion of levelling up and the intersect between health and demographic factors. She asked “how can we level up our region when healthy life expectancy lags years behind other regions of the United Kingdom? How can we draw a social contract with our communities when you can be four times more likely to die with the same disease for no apparent reason other than the colour of your skin? And how can we empower people to live longer, healthier, happier lives without addressing the social factors that determine those outcomes in the first place?”

Labour’s Plan for Primary Care and Public Health Reforms

1. Prevention Revolution

Preet stressed the need for a prevention revolution, focusing on securing jobs, fair pay, adequate housing, safe streets, clean air, accessible transport, free time, affordable facilities, nutritious food, and a fair society. She criticised the lack of a joined-up plan for health over the past 13 years and outlined Labour’s commitment to addressing issues like smoking, alcohol harm, gambling, and childhood obesity. Preet promised tough action against companies exploiting children’s health and outlined plans for a smoke-free future, free breakfast clubs, and efforts to tackle social determinants of health.

2. Neighborhood Health Service

Preet contended that Labour aims to transform the NHS into a neighborhood health service, enabling more people to receive care at home or in their communities. Preet highlighted the need to recruit and retain more carers, improve social care with fair pay agreements, and invest in primary care by training more GPs, reducing red tape, and placing mental health support in schools and communities.

3. Workforce of the Future

The speech concluded with a focus on the workforce of the future, armed with technology through the “Fit for the Future Fund.” Labour pledged to deliver the most extensive expansion of NHS staff in history, including more GPs, district nurses, health visitors, midwives, and dentists. The party outlined plans to abolish non-dom tax status to fund a Dentistry Rescue plan, ensuring more appointments and accessibility for those in need.

Collaborating for Change

Preet acknowledged the need for collective efforts, encouraging collaboration between the Government and local leaders to bring about meaningful change to healthcare. The speech concluded with an invitation for innovative practices and ideas from the audience, emphasising the importance of collective action in restoring the region’s health.

In unveiling Labour’s ambitious health vision, Preet aimed to instil hope and determination, assuring the audience that the party is committed to addressing the issues affecting Birmingham’s communities.

Russell’s experience in the digital sector and his passion for technology set the stage for a thought-provoking discussion about the potential of digital technology to revolutionise patient services, reduce administration errors, and alleviate the pressures on clinicians. He outlined his vision for an integrated, patient-centric healthcare system powered by data and artificial intelligence.

Patient Empowerment through Technology

With a background in digital and technology, Russell outlined his early experience in the healthcare sector, highlighting the rapid advancement of technology since the mid-2000s. From simple health games to today’s sophisticated wearables and mobile apps, consumers have embraced technology to track their health and fitness. However, Russell emphasised that the challenge lies in utilising this data to benefit patients fully.

He championed  a shift in the  patient-provider  dynamic, moving towards treating patients as partners in their health journey. By creating an environment where patients can actively engage with their health data and contribute to decision-making, technology can empower patients to take control of their wellbeing.

The Single Patient View

Drawing inspiration from successful customer-centric models used by tech giants like Google and Amazon, Russell called for a “single patient view” a revolutionary concept within the healthcare system. He emphasised the need for a holistic approach to patient care, where medical conditions are considered within the broader context of a patient’s life. For instance, understanding the impact of a physical ailment on mental health, employability, and social care can lead to more targeted treatment plans and better budgeting for long-term care.

 With data as the cornerstone, healthcare providers could gain valuable insights into patients’ unique needs, leading to personalised and comprehensive care plans, provided by the single patient vision

Harnessing Data for Predictive Healthcare

Russell highlighted the  endless horizons of using data to optimise the healthcare system further. He proposed the concept of “data donors,” individuals who willingly and eagerly contribute their health-related data to ongoing clinical trials and research. By anonymising and aggregating this data, researchers  would be able to decipher patterns, predict health outcomes, and develop innovative treatments for various diseases.

“We need to look to a model of what I call data donors. People who actively donate their health-related data, sharing information from their wearable devices and medications, to be used in live clinical trials and research, potentially helping to cure diseases and save lives.”

Dean Russell MP

Acknowledging concerns surrounding AI With the usage of AI creating caution, Russell underscored the  pressing need of implementing robust safeguards to ensure the ethical and responsible use of technology in healthcare. While cautious about the potential risks, he remained optimistic about AI’s capacity to save lives and enhance the patient experience when used responsibly.

“I think there’s a great opportunity for artificial intelligence to help manage the flow of patient appointments, follow-ups, and administrative tasks in a very smart and accurate way.”

Dean Russell MP

Final Thought

As a member of the Health and Care Select Committee, Russell’s speech emphasised the immense potential and promise of digital technology and data in transforming healthcare for the better. He highlighted the need to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline administrative processes and  would allow clinicians to focus on patient care. Russell also advocated for a patient-centric approach, urging the integration of a single patient view that considers the holistic impact of health conditions on individuals’ lives. Furthermore, he proposed the concept of “data donors,” where individuals willingly share their health data to power live clinical trials and research, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in medical science.

Russell’s vision for a technology-driven, patient-centered healthcare system offered a glimpse into a brighter future where the single patient vision melds data into personalised care, a powerful tool to improve patient outcomes and advance medical knowledge. As we move forward, his ideas serve as a catalyst for the healthcare community to explore exciting  and innovative ways to harness the potential of digital technology and data for the greater good of society’s health and wellbeing.

Watch the full video here:

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the need for seamless integration between various primary care providers is of paramount importance. The challenge lies in bringing together general practice, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, and audiology to deliver cohesive care services. To shed light on this crucial matter, a discussion panel featuring Pramit Patel, the executive primary care leader for Surrey Heartlands ICS, and Thorrun Govind, the Chair of the English Pharmacy Board, was held.

Answering several well thought through questions, the conversation explored innovative solutions, the impact of policy, and the path towards achieving NHS goals for out-of-hospital care.

The Journey to Integrated Care

As a leading GP partner from Surrey, Dr Patel shared his insights on the broader concept of primary care, stating that it encompasses various professions, including general practice, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, and audiology. He stressed the importance of co-ordinated, integrated, out-of-hospital clinical pathways with clear lines of accountability and responsibility. To achieve this, he emphasised the need to bridge the gap between general practice and community services, working together in integrated neighbourhood teams. Dr Patel also highlighted the significance of utilising data science to maximise the potential of health data, enabling effective upstream prevention.

“We’ve talked about upstream work, but what does that really mean, upstream prevention using population health management data? But really, it’s more than just data, it’s the insights and the science behind the data.”

Dr Pramit Patel

In response, Govind, a community pharmacist, emphasised the significance of breaking down silos between healthcare providers. She praised the “Pharmacy First” initiative, which aimed to empower community pharmacists to deal with common conditions. She stressed the importance of patients’ journeys, streamlining the front door to the NHS, and ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate care setting.

Empowering Pharmacists as Prescribers

The panel addressed the increasing role of community pharmacists in prescribing and supporting patients. Govind expressed her frustration about the criticism different professions receive, stressing the importance of supporting each other in prescribing within their competence. She emphasised that the future of primary care lies in empowering pharmacists as independent prescribers, enabling them to provide more comprehensive care to patients.

Thorrun Govind

“I think it comes back to this whole point of if we keep working in these silos that have developed, ultimately the patient suffers, and we end up with these uncoordinated ways of working where we get a bit frustrated at each other and it just doesn’t work very well.”

Patel shared the concern of pharmacists’ teams facing burnout and retention problems due to the lack of empowerment and limitations in their roles. He advocated for creating a pipeline for pharmacists to be more involved in prescribing and collaborative care, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care from various members of the healthcare team.

Challenges of Integration and Government Messaging

The panel recognised that achieving integration in Integrated Care Systems (ICS) can be complex, as each ICS may have unique characteristics and structures. Patel shared the significance of relationships and leadership in bridging gaps and creating meaningful connections within the system. He shared his experience with Surrey’s coterminous structure, while acknowledging that larger ICS may require different segmentation.

Both speakers also addressed the challenges arising from conflicting government messaging. Govind expressed concerns about government campaigns that primarily focus on GP visits, inadvertently undermining the efforts of other primary care professionals. To resolve this, the panel urged for collaborative efforts and a united voice from primary care providers to advocate for a more inclusive and holistic approach to healthcare messaging.

Final Thought: A Roadmap for the Future

The panel discussion between Dr Patel and Govind highlighted the need for collaboration and integration among primary care providers. To achieve seamless healthcare delivery, primary care must go beyond siloed approaches and adopt co-ordinated, integrated clinical pathways. Empowering pharmacists as prescribers and creating strong leadership across all levels are crucial steps in revolutionising primary care.

Moreover, fostering relationships and effective communication within ICS can ensure that policies and strategies align with the unique characteristics of each region. By advocating for an inclusive approach to healthcare messaging, primary care providers can collectively work towards a transformative change that benefits both patients and the entire healthcare system.

As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, it is through such insightful discussions and collaborative efforts that we can pave the way for a more integrated and patient-centric future. By working together, primary care providers can lead the charge in achieving the NHS’s out-of-hospital care goals and ensuring a healthier and more vibrant society for all.

The full video can be viewed here:

In a captivating fireside chat, former Secretary of State for Health and Author of The Hewitt Review, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt and author of the Fuller Stocktake Review, Professor Claire Fuller engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about their respective reports and visions for integrated care systems.

As Chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrative Care Partnership, Hewitt shared her optimism about the progress made thus far. In conversation, Chief Executive of Surrey Heartland’s Integrated Care System, Professor Fuller discussed her views on neighbourhood teams and the challenges they face in transforming healthcare delivery.

Embracing the Vision

In a unique conversation, both speakers underscored the positive developments resulting from their reports. Hewitt highlighted that the vision she outlined in her review is proving to be deliverable. In a significant achievement, all 42 systems have submitted their baselines, and the implementation of integrated neighbourhood teams is already showing tangible results. Demand reduction, decreased escalation beds, and streamlined urgent care pathways are some of the early achievements of the integrated care systems.

Shifting Toward Collaborative Care

A central theme that emerged from their conversation was the importance of moving away from the traditional top-down approach to healthcare management. Both speakers emphasised the need for collaboration among different healthcare providers, acknowledging that vertical silos with separate targets hinder the transformative potential of integrated care systems.

“Top down is not the way to get the transformation we need.”

Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt

Professor Fuller discussed the significance of end-to-end pathways and how breaking away from fragmented projects with separate funding streams is essential. She advocated for a more holistic approach, where provider collaboratives work together seamlessly, ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes.

The Role of General Practice

All too often in conference discussions surrounding integrated care, the voice of primary care is missing. In a refreshing change in focus, primary care was a significant focus across all the sessions.

The conversation shifted to the role of general practice in the evolving healthcare landscape. While acknowledging the value of well-functioning GP partner-led practices, the speakers recognised that not all practices are operating at the same level. They both supported the idea of defining outcomes for communities and patients first, rather than focusing solely on the business model of general practice.

“We want to improve patient outcomes and look after people better and everybody will say we want to improve health inequalities.” Professor Claire Fuller

Professor Fuller highlighted the need to protect continuity and the doctor-patient relationship that underpins the NHS. Acknowledging that fewer GPs want to be partners, she stressed the importance of supporting salaried GPs and facilitating easier routes for practices to become part of large group practices.

Defining Healthcare Outcomes and Tailored Solutions

During the fireside discussion, the speakers agreed on the necessity of defining outcomes that cater to the needs of diverse communities and individuals. Recognising that local factors and circumstances significantly influence the ideal healthcare model, they warned against designing solutions from a centralised perspective. Instead, they called for more agile, adaptable, and locally responsive approaches to ensure healthcare services align with specific needs.

Final Thought

The fireside chat between Hewitt and Professor Fuller provided valuable insights into the future of integrated care systems and neighbourhood teams. Their shared optimism about the potential of such systems, combined with a commitment to collaborative care and a focus on outcomes, promises to usher in a new era of healthcare delivery that is both responsive and patient centric.

As they continue to explore innovative solutions, the path ahead will be paved by a balance of national direction and locally tailored implementations, keeping patients’ well-being at the core of the transformation.

Delivery, delivery and more delivery was the key message from the session. There is already buy in from the Integrated Care Systems on both the Fuller and Hewitt reviews – now the time is for the system to turn this into tangible results.

To find out more about global human data sciences company, IQVIA visit www.iqvia.com

The full video can be watched here:

Curia’s NHS and Life Sciences Commission

Following the successful launch of the NHS Innovation and Life Sciences Commission’s 2022 Report, the Commission will appraise the outlined recommendations in 2023. This will allow a measurement of success to be taken on each implementation and a review of new priorities for the NHS and life sciences industry. The Commission will continue to review case studies to highlight best practice for the 2022 recommendations. Through a series of sprints, the Commission will highlight real-world experiences in regions across the UK. Through targeted health data mapping, relevant areas of unmet need and health inequalities can be chosen. Each sprint may appraise one or multiple topic areas from the 2022 report.

The Commission will also hold dedicated inquiry sessions into specific system-level and therapeutic areas of focus. Using the same methodology, the inquiries will provide opportunities for the Commission to gain implementable solutions to these areas and develop similar policy recommendations and reports.

The Commission will continue periodic consultation with selected advisory group bodies and sponsors to steer the methodology and direction of the 2023 activities.

In a recent health inequalities summit, hosted by IQVIA, delegates were treated to  thought-provoking speeches by both Jim McArdle and Angela McFarlane. These presentations shed light on the pressing issue of health inequalities in the UK, offering valuable insights into the challenges faced by patients and healthcare systems. This article combines the key highlights from both speeches, providing a comprehensive perspective on healthcare disparities and potential solutions.

The Profound Connection between Long-Term Conditions and Deprivation

Jim McArdle’s speech began by emphasising the significant impact of long-term conditions on individuals living in deprived areas. Drawing on extensive research, McArdle revealed that patients in the bottom quintile of deprivation tend to develop long-term conditions up to ten years earlier than those in the top quintile. Moreover, individuals in deprived areas are more likely to experience multiple long-term conditions, exacerbating their health challenges. McArdle underscored the greater severity of living with these conditions in deprived areas, emphasising the urgent need to address this disparity.

Angela McFarlane’s speech echoed these sentiments, highlighting the far-reaching effects of health inequalities on individuals, families, communities, and the economy. She emphasised the need for collaboration and innovative approaches to tackle health disparities, stressing the importance of understanding the profound impact of health inequalities on various aspects of society.

The Pandemic’s Role in Exposing Healthcare System Fragility

Both McArdle and McFarlane discussed the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems. McArdle argued that the pandemic has laid bare the fragility of healthcare systems rather than being the sole cause of existing issues. The strain on resources during the pandemic has led to backlogs in care and reduced access to essential services, worsening health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. McArdle’s presentation showcased the example of a significant decline in diabetes care processes, with only 35 per cent of patients receiving the recommended key care processes compared to 60 per cent pre-pandemic. Furthermore, the prescribing of new diabetes treatments dropped by 20 per cent, indicating the adverse effects of the pandemic on healthcare delivery and exacerbating health inequalities.

“We’re very proud of supporting our people here. We champion health of our employees for our wellbeing programs, and we have inclusive employee resource groups, we have pride, we have the Black Leadership Network, we have a multifaith network, and we have our women inspired network and, many more.”

Angela McFarlane, Vice President, Strategic Planning Northern Europe, IQVIA

McFarlane highlighted that addressing health inequalities goes beyond the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. She stressed the need for proactive initiatives to bridge gaps in healthcare access, improve primary care pathways, and enhance diversity in clinical trials. By focusing on the broader picture, McFarlane highlighted the importance of long-term strategies to reduce health inequalities and promote equitable healthcare.

Detecting Long-Term Conditions: A Lingering Challenge

McArdle and McFarlane both highlighted the concerning decline in the detection of various long-term conditions during the pandemic. McArdle specifically mentioned the detection rates for conditions like asthma, atrial fibrillation (AF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that have not yet rebounded to pre-Covid levels. This trend, observed across 17 long-term conditions, indicates a growing demand for healthcare services and the need to understand the true burden of illness. McArdle stressed the importance of increasing detection efforts in primary care to prevent further strain on secondary care services.

McFarlane echoed this concern and emphasised the significance of data-driven insights and real world evidence to identify and address health inequalities effectively. By leveraging innovative technologies and analytical approaches, she argued that healthcare providers can enhance their ability to detect and manage long-term conditions, thereby reducing disparities in care.

Broadening the Perspective on Healthcare Inequalities

Challenging the prevailing notion of solely focusing on deprivation when addressing healthcare inequalities, McArdle urged the audience to consider additional proxy markers that determine healthcare inequality. These markers include prevalence delta (discrepancy between expected and known prevalence), pathway adoption, adherence, and total resource consumption. By adopting a more comprehensive approach, healthcare leaders can gain a holistic understanding of health inequalities and work towards levelling up long-term condition pathways.

McFarlane supported this approach by highlighting the power of collaboration among integrated care system leaders, life science experts, and various organisations involved in healthcare delivery. She emphasised the importance of trust-building and strengthening relationships to drive change and foster innovation. By embracing a broad perspective and collaborating across sectors, healthcare stakeholders can create a more comprehensive and effective response to health inequalities.

The Soapbox Model: A Tiered Approach to Equitable Care

McArdle introduced the Soapbox Model – a tiered approach to equitable care – as a potential solution. This model emphasises targeted resources and support based on capacity and competency assessments. By implementing systematic processes, clinical tools, and clinical support, healthcare leaders can work towards reducing healthcare disparities. McArdle’s call to action centered around the Soapbox Model, urging healthcare leaders to identify the determinants of health inequalities, drive patient engagement strategies, and collaborate to reduce disparities across various long-term conditions.

Real-Life Success Stories: Collaboration and Innovation in Action

Both speakers shared real-life success stories that demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration and innovation in addressing health inequalities. McArdle shared stories of a clinical commissioning group in Greater Manchester that transformed its stroke prevention outcomes and an integrated care system that reached difficult-to-reach patients efficiently. These stories exemplified the potential for positive change when stakeholders align their efforts.

“In seven weeks, we reach 3000 patients to deliver that program of work. So, it shows you what can be done when hearts and minds are there”

Jim McArdle, Strategy and Business Development Director

McFarlane highlighted the contributions of IQVIA in driving health forward. Through a merger between IMS Health and Quintiles, IQVIA combines health data science and clinical trials expertise to inform decision-making and improve outcomes. McFarlane emphasized IQVIA’s work in supporting deprived communities, improving primary care pathways, and enhancing diversity in clinical trials. These efforts exemplify the power of collaboration, innovation, and data-driven insights in addressing health inequalities.

Call to Action: Determinants, Engagement, and Collaboration

In conclusion, both McArdle and McFarlane issued a call to action for political leaders and healthcare professionals to address health inequalities. McArdle urged healthcare leaders to identify the determinants of health inequalities, drive patient engagement strategies, and collaborate to reduce disparities across various long-term conditions. McFarlane emphasised the need for political leaders and healthcare professionals to embrace collaboration, share best practices, and innovate to address health inequalities effectively.

By heeding these calls to action, political leaders and healthcare professionals can work together to create a healthier and more equitable society for all citizens. The insights from McArdle and McFarlane shed light on the challenges and opportunities in tackling health disparities. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity in healthcare delivery, we can strive towards a future where health inequalities are significantly reduced, ensuring better health outcomes for all.

In the realm of prostate cancer research and patient care, organisations like Prostate Cancer Research are making significant strides to address racial and social inequities. With a focus on reducing disparities and improving shared decision-making, Prostate Cancer Research has launched ‘the infopool’—an innovative, interactive patient information and education platform. This article explores the challenges faced by patients with prostate cancer and how the infopool aims to bridge the gaps in knowledge, treatment options, and access to clinical trials.

Understanding the Challenges:

Prostate cancer presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to treatment decision-making. Patients are often faced with a complex range of treatment choices, which can be overwhelming and confusing. Additionally, individuals from ethnic minority communities often feel underrepresented and believe that the information they receive does not address their specific needs. Moreover, access to information about clinical trials, which hold the promise of cutting-edge treatments, is limited for many patients.

“Prostate cancer is a complicated pathway compared to some other types of disease. This can present real challenges for patients in choosing the right treatment that doesn’t leave them regretting their decision down the line.”

David James, Director of Patient Projects at Prostate Cancer Research

The Unmet Needs:

Through extensive social research, Prostate Cancer Research identified four key areas of unmet need for people with prostate cancer. First, low health literacy contributes to difficulties in understanding written information, leading to suboptimal treatment adherence and increased healthcare utilisation. Second, the complex nature of the prostate cancer pathway poses challenges for patients in making informed treatment decisions. Third, individuals from the Black community often feel excluded from the co-development of information and report a lack of representation in educational materials. Finally, the limited awareness and accessibility of clinical trials exacerbate the problem of health inequity.

“Navigating your way through treatment options is horrendous, particularly the options that they never tell you about.”

Tony, a prostate cancer patient

The Infopool Solution:

To address these challenges, Prostate Cancer Research developed the infopool — an interactive platform designed to empower patients, and enhance shared decision-making. The platform incorporates user-friendly features such as animations, videos, infographics, and illustrations to simplify complex medical concepts. The content is written at a reading level suitable for a broad audience, ensuring accessibility for individuals with low health literacy.

The infopool offers a range of features tailored to the needs of patients. Users can enter relevant information about themselves and access treatment options specific to their circumstances. A comparison tool enables patients to compare different treatments, aiding them in making informed decisions. The platform also provides a vast collection of personal stories from individuals who have experienced prostate cancer, offering a patient-centric perspective and promoting empathy and understanding.

Linking Research and Patient Care:

In conjunction with the infopool, Prostate Cancer Research is launching a patient platform that integrates patient-reported outcome measures with clinical data. By incorporating diverse and inclusive patient populations, this initiative aims to drive research and develop improved treatments for prostate cancer. The infopool plays a crucial role in ensuring the representation of a diverse cohort of patients, fostering inclusivity, and avoiding the pitfalls of an educated majority.

Final Thought

The infopool represents a significant step forward in prostate cancer care and patient empowerment. By addressing the unmet needs of patients, improving health literacy, and providing access to relevant information and resources, the platform aims to reduce disparities in prostate cancer treatment outcomes. With its patient-centric approach and focus on shared decision making, the infopool sets a new standard for patient education and engagement. Through initiatives like this, Prostate Cancer Research continues to make meaningful contributions to the field, ultimately striving for better health outcomes and greater equity in prostate cancer care.

To find out more about the infopool visit: www.theinfopool.co.uk

The full video can be viewed here:

Clinical trials play a vital role in advancing medical innovations and treatments, but they have often failed to represent the diverse populations they aim to benefit. This glaring disparity was the catalyst for a groundbreaking roundtable discussion held earlier this year. Led by Dr Suki Balendra, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Paddington Life Sciences and who oversaw the Covid-19 vaccine trial delivery in North West London, and Dr Sheuli Porkess, Vice President of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the panel organised by global human data science company IQVIA sought to address the pressing issue of underrepresentation and its implications for healthcare. Outlining the recommendations from the roundtable, the panel outlined how delegates from the healthcare sector can shape the future of clinical trials and pharmaceutical medicine.

Unlocking the Power of Collaboration and Unveiling Starling Disparities

The roundtable and panel discussion proved to be a remarkable convergence of minds and a departure from traditional siloed thinking. Dr Balendra emphasised the need to transcend institutional boundaries and foster collaboration with industry partners. By harnessing collective expertise and coproducing ideas, this collaborative approach sought to bridge the gaps in representation and transform the landscape of clinical trials.

“The roundtable report gives the level of actionable details that members can take away.”

Dr Sheuli Porkess, Vice President of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine 

The discussion shed light on the disconcerting statistics surrounding diversity in clinical trials. Despite the rich diversity of the population served by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in North West London, the representation in one vaccine trial was a mere 4%. These numbers underscored the urgent need for change and inspired the participants to contemplate actionable solutions to rectify the situation.

Challenging the Status Quo

Dr Porkess passionately advocated for a departure from the conventional approach, which tends to favor easily accessible and uncomplicated populations for clinical trials. She aptly remarked that people are far more complex than these limited demographics, and the efficacy of medical innovations cannot be accurately gauged if they do not encompass the diverse range of patients who could potentially benefit from them. The panel offered a range of recommendations, focusing on engaging communities, empowering clinical teams, and reforming trial protocols.

Empowering Communities and Clinical Teams

Central to the recommendations was the notion of community engagement. The report stressed the importance of equipping patients with knowledge about research, ensuring they actively inquire about and participate in clinical trials. Similarly, clinical teams were encouraged to proactively offer research opportunities to patients, emphasising the vital role they play in fostering equitable access to trials. This paradigm shift in engaging both communities and clinical teams is crucial to effecting change.

“If we receive trial protocols where, for example, diabetes is an exclusion criteria, you’re cutting out massive swathes of the population that you’re serving.”

Dr Suki Balendra, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Paddington Life Sciences

The panel also underscored the significance of adapting trial protocols to be more inclusive. Exclusion criteria that inadvertently limit participation should be reconsidered to reflect the populations being served. This necessitates a broader perspective and an understanding that diverse representation is not only ethically imperative but also essential for generating meaningful evidence and outcomes.

Charting a New Path Forward

Pharmaceutical medicine, a medical specialty focused on the development and responsible management of medicines, stands to benefit greatly from the panel’s recommendations.

By putting patients and populations first, pharmaceutical medicine aligns with the core principles of the discussion. Pharmaceutical physicians are urged to integrate the recommendations from the roundtable into their practice, from diversifying trial recruitment to advocating for equity and inclusivity within their organisations.

The panel discussion marked a pivotal moment in addressing health inequalities within clinical trials. Its far-reaching impact promises to reshape the landscape of pharmaceutical medicine and revolutionise the way medical innovations are developed and evaluated. By embracing collaboration, engaging communities, empowering clinical teams, and re-evaluating trial protocols, we can move toward a future where healthcare advancements truly serve all individuals, regardless of their background.

Final Thought

The panel discussion on addressing health inequalities in clinical trials was a powerful call to action for the medical and pharmaceutical communities. It highlighted the urgent need to challenge the status quo and prioritise diversity and inclusivity in research. By embracing collaboration, engaging communities, empowering clinical teams, and re-evaluating trial protocols, the panellists advocated a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the landscape of clinical trials.

The impact of this discussion extends beyond the realm of research and into the practice of pharmaceutical medicine itself. The panellist’s recommendations provide a guiding light for pharmaceutical physicians, encouraging them to prioritise patients and populations, champion equity, and ensure that medical innovations are accessible to all.

The significance of this session lies in its ability to stimulate change, not only in the way clinical trials are conducted but also in how healthcare advancements are designed, implemented, and evaluated. It provides a framework for a more inclusive and patient-centered approach to medical research, where the diversity and complexity of individuals are acknowledged and celebrated.

The roundtable discussion has set a precedent for collaborative efforts and inspired a shared commitment to equitable healthcare. Let us embrace this momentum, challenge the norms, and work together to create a future where no one is left behind in the pursuit of better health and wellbeing.

Watch the full video here:

The final panel session concerned health inequalities within cancer outcomes and how integrated care can help to improve this nationally. This session was hosted by Angela McFarlane, Senior Vice President at IQVIA. She was joined by three experts in the field — Alastair Richards, Chief Executive Officer at North-West Cancer Research, Marie-Andrée Gamache, Country President of Novartis UK and Ireland, and Ben Bridgewater, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Manchester.

Opening remarks 

To kick things off, each of the panellists were given the opportunity to speak about their experience and interests within the field. Alastair Richards stated that at North-West Cancer Research, their mission is to “highlight and address cancer inequalities in the North-West. Unfortunately, parts of the North-West have higher than national averages for cancer diagnoses and for late cancer diagnoses. It’s our job to change that.”

Marie-Andrée Gamache was next — discussing Novartis’ recent signing of a health inequality pledge focusing on four elements, she contended “we will understand access issues to cancer care. Second, we will look at new and innovative ways to support patients in the healthcare system. Third, we will make sure that health inequalities are tackled at the beginning of our research. Finally, we will focus on making an impact in the community”.

Finally, Ben Bridgewater explained how his beliefs were shaped through his career as a cardiac surgeon. He said “I would see some patients who got a lot from their local cardiac surgery services and some who didn’t. The world isn’t equal and we, as a professional team, didn’t do enough about it. I spent some time researching and publishing outcomes data and we made some progress but didn’t solve health inequalities. Thanks to COVID-19 though, inequalities are now finally at the top of the agenda.”

Addressing health inequalities: one size doesn’t fit all 

A main focus point of the seminar was the importance of addressing health inequalities at the start of people’s healthcare journeys. Richards stated that this is “critical” as greater awareness around cancer signs and symptoms increases the chances of GP visits — vital for early diagnosis. 

Bridgewater agreed, before addressing how innovation and data can play a key part in ensuring inequalities are addressed early on. He stated “you should be asking yourselves questions like ‘Have we got the right people with the right skills?’ ‘Is our culture right?’, ‘Do we have the right technology?’. We also need to gather data on patients who have experience living with cancer to understand what the barriers are. One size doesn’t fit all when tackling inequalities so this data is essential”. 

Moreover, Bridgewater asserted that “we still don’t have enough data expertise in the NHS.”

The role of industry partners 

Integrated Care Systems (ICS) often utilise industry partners to provide services and support as they are able to help address specific healthcare needs. In terms of cancer outcomes, Gamache believes that industry partners are key to understanding data. She stated that “we need to be thinking of health inequalities when first introducing new innovation and the best way to do that is to understand the patient journey and their needs. So, when partners are brought in, they are brought in knowing what they need to do so they can tailor solutions from the very beginning”. 

She contended that their approach to ICS involves a ‘triple win check’ before suggesting solutions — a win for patients, a win for the company and a win for the system. 

Bridgewater, on the other hand, spoke about the importance of congregating a team of highly knowledgeable individuals. By including a range of people in the process such as industry colleagues, academic colleagues, NHS staff and digital colleagues, he states that multidisciplinary teams can be empowered to “move things forward”.

Improving cancer outcomes: the priorities 

Finally, the panel discussed the future priorities for improving cancer outcomes. Richards acknowledged early diagnosis before exploring a “personalisation agenda”, inspired by social care. He asserted that “in social care, they wrap a service around each individual patient by gaining an understanding on their family life, social life, and needs whereas we don’t do that in healthcare”.

Richards notes that unfortunately, NHS hospital cancer treatment is often “extremely impersonal and instead, we should wrap a service around them so that the service is ready for you when you arrive so that you feel like the centre of the service, not the consultant.”

Final thought

The panel discussion highlighted the importance of addressing health inequalities in cancer care and the role that ICS can play in improving outcomes. The panellists emphasised the need for early diagnosis and personalised care, as well as the importance of industry partners and multidisciplinary teams in driving change. 

However, it is also important to recognise that addressing health inequalities is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While ICS can play a role in improving cancer outcomes, they must also address the broader social determinants of health that contribute to inequalities in the first place. By taking a holistic approach to healthcare and working collaboratively across sectors, we can make strides towards reducing health inequalities and improving cancer outcomes for all.

The series will bring together leaders across the NHS, life sciences and national/local government to discuss public health in specific regions and across the UK. This year, Chamber are hosting future events in Birmingham, London, Leeds and Glasgow.

Tackling health inequalities

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer for the position of Shadow Minister for Public Health in 2021 after originally holding the position between 2015-2016. Mr Gwynne is hugely passionate about health inequalities and says that tackling them is one of his biggest priorities. Engaging the audience, Mr Gwynne discussed how his desire to resolve health inequalities stems from his childhood.

“I grew up in Denton West, which is one of the better areas in Denton but my best friend at school grew up in Denton South. We went to the same school, had the same interests, and hung around at the same spots yet his life expectancy was ten years less than mine. This is a burning social injustice, and it cannot be acceptable. What I didn’t know then was the wider determinants of health such as access to affordable food, access to green spaces, the money you earn, whether your parents smoke etc. Deprivation is linked to health not because poor people choose to suffer but because of a complex web of detriments that cause general health to worsen in certain communities”.

How to narrow health inequalities 

Gwynne rightly made the point that if you asked a room full of people whether where you were brought up should have a detrimental impact on your health then the answer would likely be a resounding “no”. However, Gwynne contended that there are other prevailing assumptions in society that people make about health and well-being that need to change as “too many people look at public health as an individual choice”.

There is a feeling that if you want to be healthy, just be healthy. This line of thought doesn’t sit well with me. If it worked, then we would not be facing some of the highest obesity rates in Europe and health inequalities wouldn’t be widening. The sort of questions that we should be asking are ‘How can we improve access to good food and education?’ and ‘How can we guarantee that everyone has good housing standards and well-paid work?’”.

The importance of prevention

Gwynne argues that the primary way to solve health inequalities is “all about prevention”. He says for too long the government has adopted a “Whack-A-Mole” strategy where are problem appears and they react, only for another one to then appear after the initial one is solved. By getting ahead of the game, they can put this sort of strategy behind them.

“Preventing people from being sick, preventing people from dying young and preventing them from developing health complications. Departmental integration is an essential part of tackling these problems. We need buy-in from every department in central and local government to make a difference because it will take more than action simply from the health secretary as health is so linked with everything else”.

The Shadow Public Health Minister then discussed how a Labour government would install preventative measures into society – one way would be through school breakfast clubs, while another would be by increasing the national minimum wage.

Question time

After his speech had concluded, Andrew Gwynne faced a series of questions from audience members. One of the most interesting questions came from someone who asked him how he would go about transforming the culture with the NHS. While Gwynne acknowledged the importance of bringing down wait times and waiting lists, he also said that he would like to see the NHS move away from archaic processes and progress with the times.

Explaining how a hospital in Tameside has carried this out Gwynne said:

“Britain is at the cutting edge of a whole range of medical and technological advances, but the NHS is slow to pick them up. At Tameside Hospital, they had an issue where when elderly and vulnerable patients in care homes became sick, the reaction of the care home was to dump them at A&E at Tameside. This had a negative impact on the hospital’s mortality figures.

One measure they introduced was teleconferencing. They employed someone called “Digital Pete” and he made it his mission to get every single care home in Tameside and Glossop connected to his hub at Tameside Hospital. This now means that if an elderly person in care becomes sick rather than the home sticking them in an ambulance the default course of action is now to contact Digital Pete who will then triage the case. Most of the cases can be dealt with online sufficiently.”

Final thought

Mr Gwynne’s keynote speech provided an insight into Labour’s plans for the health and life sciences sector if elected. As Shadow Public Health Minister, Mr Gwynne was well-positioned to discuss these important topics with leaders across the sector.

Watch the full video here.

Recently, Chamber hosted the first of its regional Integrating Healthcare Seminar series, in partnership with IQVIA. The series brings together leaders across the NHS, life sciences and national/local government to discuss public health in specific regions and across the UK. This year, Chamber are hosting future events in Birmingham, London, Leeds and Glasgow.

The first of the series was held in Manchester where MPs and the Shadow Minister for Public Health, Andrew Gwynne MP gave their address to an in-person and online audience.

The first of the speeches came from Chris Green MP, who discussed his priorities for public health in the North West and wider UK. Mr Green is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Research and also sits on the government’s Health and Social Care Select Committee. He a strong background in healthcare and life sciences, representing Bolton West and Atherton as their Member of Parliament.

Mr Green began his address stating that “healthcare is always one of the most important issues we face as a country” which has been amplified in recent years thanks to the COVID pandemic. He then went on to talk about the role healthcare plays in devolution:

“Healthcare certainly fits into the devolution agenda at this moment in time. Devolution is becoming more common across the country and in Greater Manchester, we’ve had a mayor since 2014. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that health and social care devolution came to Greater Manchester.

“When health devolution came to Greater Manchester it wasn’t desired locally for that to fall under the responsibility of the Mayor. Instead, there was an appetite for a local authority partnership model, and fast forward to 2022 we have the Health and Care Act which has seen Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) rolled out across the country and put on a statutory footing.”

Integrating Care Systems

The introduction of ICSs marks a significant milestone for health and social care across the UK. Since their introduction, the health and life sciences sector has been discussing the potential of the new system to improve outcomes for patients across regions.

The purpose of ICSs is to bring various NHS partner organisations together to improve outcomes, tackle health inequalities and to enhance productivity. However, as these systems are still in their infancy, there are some sceptics across the sector.

Talking about the potential of these systems, Mr Green said:

“Historically, if a local authority made savings on healthcare they wouldn’t necessarily get to keep that money to reinvest in the area. ICSs have the potential to break down these barriers and to give local authorities the motivation to innovate the way they work.

“Additionally, ICSs should allow for new relationships to be built with the life science sector, pharmaceutical companies, and universities. There is a huge opportunity for more collaborative working to get companies and organisations to invest and work in your local areas which, as a result, means a gain in expertise and finances.”

Final thought

Mr Green’s address provided key insights into current issues in health and social care and the potential of ICSs to improve outcomes across the board. As Chair of the Medical Research APPG, Mr Green was well positioned to discuss these important topics with leaders across the health and life science sector. The first speech set the tone for series of discussions on health inequalities, cancer outcomes and wider public health.

To watch Mr Green’s address, see the video below.

To hear daily insights and attend future Chamber events, sign up to our newsletter here.