ABHI news archive 2004-5
Medical devices and systems save lives. New innovations also
mean more efficient treatments that can ease the cost burden on the
NHS. Below are some examples of media coverage on these issues.
"The Association of British Healthcare Industries believes the
UK is falling behind on investment in new technology compared with
other European countries. 'We appreciate the extra money the
government is now investing in health,' said the ABHI's director
general John Wilkinson. 'The problem is that far too little is
going into the new generation of life-saving medical equipment.
This means that illnesses that could be cured continue to destroy
many people's lives needlessly. That is not only a human tragedy -
it actually costs the taxpayer a lot more money in the longer
term.'"
The Guardian, 27 September 2004
"British patients could receive new medical technology quickly
under government proposals to be announced this month. The
Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) will propose structural
changes within the NHS that are intended to smooth the path for
introducing new medical devices such as better cameras for keyhole
surgery and more comfortable replacement hips. An industry
spokesman said, 'It is about how we can get patients out of
hospital faster or get more operations for the same money.'"
The
Guardian, 5 November 2004
"The Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF), year-long joint
study between the Department of Health and industry co-chaired by
Health Minister Lord Warner and CEO of Smith and Nephew Sir
Christopher O'Donnell...will allow industry, academia and the
health service to work together 'to support the rapid development,
dissemination and commercialisation of a pipeline of innovations'
coming from each of the sectors."
Financial
Times, 17 November 2004
"A healthcare task force of representatives from companies and
government plans to encourage the use of modern equipment in the
NHS to avoid costly surgeries. 'There's lots of examples where
technology, if adopted, can save money and do the job for patients
more effectively - there are win-wins all round,' said John
Wilkinson, Director General of the ABHI. 'One of the key elements
of this process is to try and accelerate that process and make it
easier for buyers.'
Bloomberg, 18 November 2004
"The Association of British Healthcare Industries, fresh from a
year that saw many successes in its role as mouthpiece for the
medical technology industry in the work of the Healthcare
Industries Task Force (HITF), is now in the throes of ensuring it
has maximum input into a number of inquiries and
consultations."
Clinica, 14
January 2005
"The Association of British Healthcare Industries was largely
responsible for presenting the interests of industry to HITF. The
ABHI was positive about the results, describing the task force as
the 'first of its kind' and 'an important and timely initiative'.
HITF evolved out of PrISM - an agenda created by the ABHI."
The Regulatory Affairs Journal, Jan/Feb
2005