UK healthcare reforms and the "Plan for Growth"

Improved healthcare means opportunities for life sciences and healthcare companies

Successive UK governments have recognised that the health and life sciences industries have the potential to make a significant contribution not only to future economic growth in the UK as it emerges from recession, but also to improved healthcare for UK citizens.

The NHS is undergoing a modernisation, which, if implemented, will revolutionise the way healthcare is funded, commissioned and delivered in the UK.  Although this could be seen as creating an environment of uncertainty for life sciences and healthcare companies whether, already operating in the UK or considering investing in the UK, it also represents an opportunity for such companies to have their say in how the implementing legislation is drafted to ensure that it is flexible and will not present barriers to take-up of innovative products and models of care in the future.

As well as the ongoing reforms of the NHS - and in many ways linked to and dependant on these reforms - the UK Government, building on the positive developments resulting from the Life Sciences Blueprint published by the Office of Life Sciences in 2010 and other existing initiatives, published its “Plan for Growth” along with the Budget in March 2011. The proposals set out in the “Plan for Growth”, along with the package of corporate tax changes set out in the 2011 Budget, are aimed at strengthening the UK’s position as a leading location for life sciences and healthcare.

If you would like a copy of our publication "UK healthcare reforms - putting patients first. Opportunities for life sciences companies in the UK" and to receive our updates on the reforms, please contact us.  Updates will also be posted on our website.

Lawyers Tim Worden, Helen Cline