Healthcare academics have warned of a “tsunami” of work that faces primary care services in the aftermath of the pandemic. Pent-up demand threatens to overwhelm services and will need to be addressed by Government as part of its plan for healthcare to recover in the wake of the crisis, the experts say. Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the RCGP, praised the role of GPs in the UK’s vaccination campaign. Of the 15 million vaccinations offered to date, 75% have been administered at G...

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a ‘bounce’ in the diagnostics manufacturing sector said a diagnostics-dedicated recruitment CEO. Ivor Campbell, chief executive of Snedden Campbell, a recruitment company working in the diagnostics sector, has observed a rise in the number of vacancies within the sector as companies expand and consolidate their operations. “In recent years, the UK diagnostic sector’s advantage has been the ability to fund new entrants into the point-of-car...

The sixth annual Life Science Competitiveness Indicators report has been published, comparing the UK’s performance in life sciences internationally to the end of 2019. The publication of the report had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis, however the document confirms that the UK was one of the best locations for life sciences work across the globe in 2019. A quarter of a million people were employed in the sector during that year and it generated almost £81bn in annual turnov...

BIVDA comments on Life Science Competitiveness Report BIVDA has welcomed the publication of the Life Science Competitiveness Indicators 2020, a report that gives a comprehensive outline of the state of the UK life sciences sector covering research funding, import-export levels and investment, amongst other key indicators. Life sciences continue to be a crucial pillar of the UK economy generating almost £81bn annually and employing over 250,000 people. In terms of Government activ...

Don’t Wait; Act – is our initiative to re-start routine, non-COVID testing in the NHS for patients with long term conditions or who have new symptoms that could be caused by issues such as cancer, undiagnosed diabetes, heart disease and who could become unintended victims of the pandemic.  The initiative needs to be poised and ready to start as soon as the current lockdown eases and NHS capacity recovers but for that we need your support! We are engaging the London Agency to hel...

BIVDA Comments on Health and Care White Paper BIVDA Chief Executive Doris-Ann Williams and Chief Operating Officer Helen Dent have commented on the publication of the Health and Care White Paper by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock.  Commenting on plans to promote integrated care in the health service, Doris-Ann said; “The new White Paper offers an opportunity to promote joint working and collaboration in the NHS across different teams, department and disciplines. As part of...

Please find attached a helpful summary of the different customs models used at the various UK ports. The full details are included in the Border Operating Model, but hopefully this standalone summary maybe a helpful guide. As ever, we can take any questions you may have to colleagues at the MDCC and Office For Life Sciences so do contact Jon or Helen. 

A review has been announced into the use of health data for research and analysis by Government. The rapid review will take place until April 2021 and focusses on the more efficient and safe use of health data for research and analysis for the benefit of patients and the healthcare sector. Government has asked Dr Ben Goldacre to carry out the review and present his findings in two months. Dr Goldacre is Director of the DataLab, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the Universit...

The International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has announced the signing of an Enhanced Trade Partnership between the UK and India, along with the announcement of 1,500 highly-skilled technology jobs for the UK. The agreement paves the way for deeper economic inter-relationship between the UK and the world’s largest democracy and a potential trade deal in future. On Saturday, Liz Truss agreed the outline of the ETP with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on her visit...

The Government’s push for community testing uptake from local authorities is showing a high-uptake level. Nine in ten local authorities are now enrolled into the testing roll-out programme. The regular testing is searching for asymptomatic cases of coronavirus and uses rapid, lateral flow devices. More than 70% of authorities are already offering this rapid testing to those who are unable to work from home during lockdown restrictions. A new postcode checker has also been launched to allow...