Press Release
01/01/02
ABHI Welcomes publication of the Wanless Report
The ABHI (Association of British Health-Care Industries)
welcomes the emphasis placed on medical technologies in the Wanless
Report "Securing our Future Health: Taking a Long-Term View", which
confirms that the UK is a "late and slow adopter of medical
technology."
Gordon Aylward, Director-General of the ABHI commented: "Wanless
has presented a clear message - that investing heavily in the NHS
means investing in modern healthcare technologies and the suppliers
of this equipment fully support the call for more effective methods
to manage illness."
Mr Aylward also welcomed the Wanless conclusion that
recommendations from NICE1 need to be properly
integrated with the development of National Service Frameworks but
that there must be enhanced discretion and sensitivity to local
circumstances.
Colin Morgan, Chairman of ABHI and Managing Director of Ethicon Ltd
said: "There is a central role for medical technology and we are
relieved to hear Wanless appreciate the role of technology as a
driver of the required productivity increases. We, as the
innovative suppliers to the NHS, look forward to a close
partnership with the Department of Health and the NHS."
According to industry estimates,1 UK expenditure on
medical technologies as a percentage of total NHS healthcare
expenditure is 4.2%, compared with the European average of 6.4%,
while investment in Pharmaceuticals3 is 12.3%. Since the
vision is to deliver a world-class service, ABHI are keen to
emphasise that the huge funding increase announced in the April
Budget must translate into an increased spending to boost
innovation in the medical devices sector
Notes for editors: * The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical systems industry. This sector comprises not only manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, but also service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as regulatory consultants and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community.
* The ABHI represents approx. 200 member companies with a total domestic turnover of about £3 billion representing approx. 80% of the industry output.
* The membership currently includes several Special Interest Sections and four sectoral trade associations, which in turn have a further 400 member companies.
* Member list: www.abhi.org.uk
* The role of the Association is to:
- Advance and promote medical systems (devices, equipment, technologies and services) within the UK and globally.
- Provide a forum for policy discussion with the industry's customers, legislators, public bodies and interested groups.
For further information contact:
Daniel Jones: 020 7960 4360
Email: daniel.jones@abhi.org.uk
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