Press Release
01/01/02
Launch of Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF)
Bringing together government and industry for
healthcare in the UK
Health Minister Lord Warner and Sir Christopher O'Donnell, Chief
Executive of Smith & Nephew, announced a new Task Force
bringing together Government and the healthcare industry.
The first initiative of its kind between Government
and this important sector, the Healthcare Industries Task Force
will operate for one year under the joint chairmanship of Lord
Warner and Sir Christopher O'Donnell. Lord Sainsbury, DTI's
Minister for Science and Innovation, Mike O'Brien MP, Minister of
State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, and senior
industry executives will also participate in this programme.
Lord Warner said:
"The healthcare industry is important to this country, both in
terms of developing products to support better healthcare in the
NHS, and as an important economic sector. This Task Force will help
us to get a better understanding of how Government and Industry can
work together for mutual benefit. Great advances are being made in
medical technology. I want to make sure we harness this expertise
and maximise the benefits for the NHS, patients, industry and
national economy."
Sir Christopher O'Donnell said:
"The UK-based healthcare industry is one of Britain's most
successful industrial sectors as well as making a major
contribution to the health of the British people. However, there
are further opportunities by partnership with the medical
professions and health care providers to improve industry growth
and to contribute to patient benefits. It is an extremely positive
step that the Government has recognised these opportunities and
established this task force to examine the issues and take
action."
Gordon Aylward said:
"The announcement of a new task force to promote the growth and
performance of the UK healthcare industry is a very significant
step for the medical devices sector. It means that the industry
will be working more closely with and across government then ever
before to find new approaches to the barriers that exist. This
programme is especially important in the context of the changing
face of the NHS and we are ambitious for its success and the
potential it offers British industry."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1.The healthcare industry in the UK is made up of around 1800
companies producing a wide range of medical equipment and devices,
ranging from syringes and aids for the disabled to diagnostic test
kits, pacemakers, high technology scanners. Companies involved
include both major international players and small organisations
manufacturing niche products. Total output in the UK is about L4bn,
including estimated sales of L2.2bn to the NHS. Exports are in the
region of L1.6bn.
Source of figures: ABHI's CoMap II "A Competitive Analysis of the
Healthcare Industry in the United Kingdom"
2.The terms of reference are:
"The Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) will bring together
government and industry leaders to identify steps to develop,
stimulate the growth and performance of the UK healthcare industry
and maximise the benefit to patients from healthcare products, in
particular to:
o Increase healthcare professionals' and patients' access to
appropriate and innovative medical technology across all healthcare
services
o Foster and facilitate an improved environment for product
research, development, clinical evaluation and related
manufacturing investment
o Provide a clear framework of regulation and information that
serves patients
o Promote international trade in products in this sector
Co-chaired by a Government Minister and a leading Chief Executive,
HITF will within a year report and deliver recommendations which
should benefit patients, encourage the best use of NHS resources
and stimulate science and industry in the UK to improve growth in
manufacturing, investment, employment and exports. The Task Force
will be assisted by working groups bringing together experts on
each area.
Four Working Groups are planned, each with co-chairs from
Government and Industry. The Task Force will produce a report and
recommendations within a year.
3. The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is
bringing industry interests together for HITF and is working with a
group of other trade associations including the British In Vitro
Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), the British Healthcare Trades
Association (BHTA), the Surgical Dressing Manufacturers Association
(SDMA), the British Association of Anaesthetic & Respiratory
Equipment Manufacturers Association (BAREMA), GAMBICA (representing
the interests of companies in the instrumentation, control,
automation and laboratory technology industry) and AxREM (the
association for X-Ray equipment) and regional organisations
Medilink and the Southern Medical Alliance.
For further information contact:
Daniel Jones: 020 7960 4360
Email: daniel.jones@abhi.org.uk
or visit the Department of Health's website: www.doh.gov.uk/hitf
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