THE RISE OF TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE: WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025
04 The NHS Drones that Deliver for Patients and the Planet
08 Midland Metropolitan University Hospital: The New Model for UK Healthcare
20 Welsh Sustainability Awards and More: 2025 Event Lineup
16 The Rise of Technology in Healthcare: What to Expect in 2025
12 Patients, the NHS and the Life Sciences Sector Set to Benefit From New Clinical Trials Framework
24
GAVI Board Approves Measures to Support Sustainability of Vaccine Programmes and Boost Access in Vulnerable Communities
FOREWORD
f.march@peloton-events.co.uk
Welcome to the latest issue of Health Industry Leaders Magazine, where we delve into the transformative intersections of technology and sustainability shaping the future of healthcare. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the role of innovation infostering a healthier, more sustainable planet has never been more critical.
The integration of cutting-edge technology in healthcare is revolutionising patient care, enhancing precision in diagnostics, and streamlining operations. From artificial intelligence and machine learning to telemedicine and wearable technology, these advancements are not only improving outcomes but also making healthcare more accessible and equitable. The digital transformation journey we are on is driving efficiencies and opening up new possibilities for personalised medicine, predictive analytics, and remote monitoring, fundamentally changing how we approach health and wellness.
In this issue, we feature thought leaders and innovators who are at the forefront of these changes. You will read about groundbreaking projects and initiatives that are setting new standards for sustainability in healthcare, as well as the latest technological advancements that are poised to redefine the industry. Our contributors share their insights on how to balance the dual imperatives of technological innovation and environmental stewardship, providing a roadmap for a sustainable future in healthcare.
THE NHS DRONES THAT DELIVER FOR PATIENTS AND THE PLANET
BY HANNAH WINTLE
The NHS has set a clear directive to reduce emissions from its buildings and services. Over the past few years, we’ve seen this taking shape by way of energy upgrades to buildings and hospitals, EV fleets, and sustainable medications.
But when given the chance to strive towards meeting environmental outcomes, while at the same time revolutionising the way patients are treated, the healthcare service must explore all avenues to make use of these opportunities and accelerate implementation.
Drones, therefore, are currently being explored as an asset to the NHS’s delivery network, with projects around the UK seeking to demonstrate their viability and efficiency when it comes to transporting medical supplies.
Health Industry Leaders spoke to the team behind Project CAELUS (Care & Equity - Logistics UAS Scotland), to learn how this technology is being trialled in Scotland, and how it could transform the NHS’s approach to delivering care and transforming the patient experience.
AGS Airports, the operator of Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports, is spearheading the consortium to create and test the UK’s first national drone distribution network for transporting critical medical supplies, including medicines, blood, and organs across Scotland.
Project lead Karen Bell of NHS Grampian explained that the £10.1m Innovate UK-funded project is part of the Future Flight 3 Challenge collaborative, and aims to demonstrate the feasibility, efficiency, and scalability of a Drone-enabled Logistics Network (DLN) for the distribution of medical products and medicines across Scotland.
With 15 other industry partners, including Arup, Skysports, the University of Strathclyde, and NHS Scotland, Project CAELUS commenced in July 2022 and completed on 31 December 2024.
“[The project] is a strong exemplar of a triple helix approach to developing solutions for daily challenges in healthcare delivery,” Karen said.
Importantly, Project CAELUS seeks to streamline the NHS’s delivery into remote communities, a particular consideration in some areas of Scotland, and has designed drone landing stations for NHS sites throughout the country.
A digital twin of the proposed delivery network – connecting hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres, and GP surgeries across Scotland – has also been developed.
Connecting hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres, and GP surgeries
THE IMPACT OF DRONES ON PATIENT CARE
Patient outcomes are certainly the key driver behind the implementation of this technology, as the NHS strives to continuously improve its services across Scotland.
Karen said: “NHS Grampian is leading the “Once-for-Scotland” approach on behalf of the NHS Territorial Health Boards alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) to understand the benefits that unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology can bring to the delivery of routine and emergency activity, respectively, particularly in rural parts of Scotland.”
“For both SAS and NHS Scotland equity in the delivery of healthcare is a key driver for involvement in this project. The project provides an opportunity to transform patient experience and service delivery by reimagining the existing service models to new models utilising new technologies.”
Live flight trials, the most recent of which took place in October, between University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock to the Arran War Memorial on the Isle of Arran, have highlighted the potential to accelerate the provision of care, particularly to those in rural parts of Scotland.
This recent trial demonstrated that for patients on the Isle of Arran who regularly need diagnostic tests that must be analysed on the mainland, the current 3.5–5-hour transit time could be reduced to 30 minutes. Reducing the time taken to deliver samples and tests therefore allows for quicker results, and consequently, potentially life-saving decisions.
A drone network also overcomes any issues with existing infrastructure the NHS currently relies upon, such as road closures or traffic-related delays, providing quicker access to critical treatments, and saving lives in emergency situations.
Reducing the time taken to deliver samples and tests therefore allows for quicker results, and consequently, potentially life-saving decisions.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS COULD PROVE IDEAL FOR THE NHS’S GREEN EVOLUTION
As well as the benefits to patient care, the opportunity to decarbonise this essential service is another key consideration, especially as the NHS places a greater emphasis on reducing emissions.
As it stands today, the healthcare service is heavily reliant on existing infrastructure as they distribute critical supplies via road, ferry, and aircraft. What’s more, traditional air travel and transportation is largely dependent on non-renewable energy sources, making it a carbon intensive option.
The ability to create the NHS’s own transport infrastructure through the use of battery operated drones, on the other hand, could offer a greener alternative.
Karen said: “There are a number of potential environmental benefits of introducing this technology as part of our suite of transport logistics options. One of the Consortium Partners, Connected Places Catapult (CPC), has undertaken a systems engineering analysis of the impact and this includes an analysis of environmental impact.
“They will present results at the CAELUS Showcase Event at the end of January, and at that stage the NHS will have a better understanding of the contribution this technology could make to the net zero emissions ambition of the NHS.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRONE NETWORK OF THE FUTURE
The CAELUS Showcase Event at the end of this month will also feature CPC’s work on Systems Engineering and Economic Modelling of a number of use case scenarios, which will be presented to demonstrate the viability of drone delivery within the NHS.
Looking to the future, Karen concluded: “Outwith the CAELUS project, the Drone Community is awaiting announcement of a potential next round of funding from UKRI in 2025. In parallel, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has published a roadmap for a future with drones establishing routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations by 2027.
“The NHS remains committed to exploring all opportunities to work with industry and academia to develop solutions for healthcare challenges.”
With benefits to both the environment and patients up for grabs, the NHS has a unique chance to improve its essential services while making progress on green targets.
Leveraging technology for potentially life-saving outcomes, or to reduce its impact on the planet, are not new concepts to the NHS, but achieving one alongside the other is an interesting and exciting development that offers a glimpse into the healthcare service of the future.
“The NHS remains committed to exploring all opportunities to work with industry and academia to develop solutions for healthcare challenges.”
-Karen Bell, Project lead of NHS Grampian
MIDLAND METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL:
THE NEW MODEL FOR UK HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
BY HANNAH WINTLE
While the ambition set out by Johnson Conservative government to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 has been hit with delays and challenges, the progress that has been made offers a glimpse into the vision for NHS infrastructure going forwards.
With the recent addition of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust’s brand new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, it’s easy to see how investing in sustainability and cutting-edge facilities can have a wider impact on the local area.
Since its opening in October, the 700 bed acute and emergency care hospital has been slated to become a catalyst of regeneration in the area, and by incorporating carbon cutting measures into the fabric of the building, the link between the NHS’s green agenda and its ability to uplift the communities it serves demonstrates an era of change taking place within the healthcare service.
INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO DESIGN
The hospital has multiple built-in sustainability features, not only to cut carbon and contribute towards the wider NHS and Trust’s climate targets, but also to enhance the patient experience by creating a relaxing environment. As such, architects HKS targeted BREEAM Excellent accreditation for sustainable design.
The hospital’s defining feature is its Winter Garden, which spans five storeys at the centre of the hospital. Designed as a place of leisure, the garden gives patients access to green space, and provides them with a space to stay active, and take visitors. Importantly, the space is passively ventilated, and incorporates intelligent lighting, solar panels, and water-saving technologies.
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Combining wildflower seeding to enhance biodiversity and a 178-panel solar PV array on the remaining roof space ensures this facility is cutting edge in terms of sustainability.
-ARUP
As NEC 4 Supervisor, Arup drew upon their depth of healthcare experience to ensure that the new hospital delivered on these ambitions. They said: “In support of patient health and wellbeing, the hospital itself is a green and sustainable building, incorporating around 2.5 acres of roof gardens and planted internal courtyards.
Midland Metropolitan is also fitted out with energy efficient lighting and combined heat and power systems to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
With floor to ceiling windows throughout, the hospital also reduces the need for artificial lighting whilst creating a calming environment for both patients and staff that improves mental well-being, and demonstrates how climate friendly initiatives can be used to boost healthcare outcomes.
REGENERATING THE AREA AND TRANSFORMING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Perhaps the most anticipated outcome of Midland Metropolitan is how it will facilitate the regeneration of the area. Built on a post-industrial brownfield site within a designated regeneration zone between Birmingham and Sandwell, the hospital “signifies an era of change in what was once the heart of the industrial West Midlands,” according to the trust.
Rachel Barlow, Managing Director for the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Programme Company, said: “Regeneration in the area will include affordable new homes on the former City Hospital site, and redevelopment of what is known as the Smethwick to Birmingham corridor.”
Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council are collaborating to trigger lasting change throughout the region, and through their work with West Midlands Combined Authority, Homes England, the Canal & River Trust, and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, the collaboration seeks to regenerate the Smethwick to Birmingham corridor.
The Trust said: “Our ambition is to create positive change in the neighbourhoods surrounding Midland Met. One of the benefits of developing this corridor will hopefully be reduced traffic using the roads. It should lead to better air quality and the reintroduction of more green space across the area.
“Midland Metropolitan University Hospital provides a chance to help revive the area, supporting a healthy community for those who already live here and those who will choose to live, work and visit.”
On the day the hospital opened, Sir David Nicholson, Chairman of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, also said: “The development is more than a hospital, encompassing education through our Learning campus, enrichment through our art gallery and extensive arts programme, and empowerment as we provide opportunities for our local population to improve their circumstances and through the regeneration of the wider area.”
Midland Metropolitan serves as an important landmark that is hoped to generate further prosperity in the area. Having also recently secured funding to develop a learning campus onsite, the hospital, in collaboration with education providers, will unlock new learning opportunities and facilitate the training of the next generation of healthcare professionals from the surrounding communities.
In the face of looming green targets, it is clear that healthcare infrastructure must reflect the commitment to meeting climate goals, while also providing a central hub that delivers for communities and accelerates positive regional change.
While there is still a way to go before the government meets its target of 40 new hospitals, the progress made through the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital demonstrates the ability of NHS infrastructure to transform local areas, and serves as a blueprint for the ambitious projects still to be delivered.
Using
the expertise of our learning and development team, and working together with our communities, we will help individuals to access training, development and employment opportunities.
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-Sir David Nicholson, Chairman of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
PATIENTS, THE NHS AND THE LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR SET TO BENEFIT FROM NEW CLINICAL TRIALS FRAMEWORK
BY FLOYD MARCH
The amended regulatory framework will speed up trial approvals and encourage innovation in trial design without compromising patient safety
New legislation was laid in Parliament aimed to address the research sector’s need for a more efficient, streamlined and adaptable regulatory framework for clinical trials.
It is hoped that the UK will be a more attractive place for innovators.
It is hoped that the UK will be a more attractive place for innovators to conduct important research and will help to get potentially life-changing new treatments to patients and the NHS as quickly as possible.
This marks an important milestone in the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s biggest overhaul of the clinical trial regulations in 20 years and will support taking trials to the patient.
The new legislation, which once made into law will come into force following a 12-month implementation period to ensure readiness, aims to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on trial sponsors without compromising patient safety.
It will see duplicative requirements removed and processes streamlined.
It will see duplicative requirements removed and processes streamlined, with the introduction of the combined review and notification scheme for some clinical trial initial applications and amendments embedded into law.
These changes are being introduced with support from health system partners including the Health Research Authority (HRA), academia and researchers.
A major milestone for clinical trials regulations has been achieved today.
After extensive public consultation and expert input, we’re introducing regulations that eliminate unnecessary duplication and accelerate approvals.
-Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive
These reforms protect the safe development of pioneering new treatments for the benefit of patients and the NHS, setting the UK as one of the best places in the world to conduct research for patients, researchers and innovators.
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Good clinical trials can speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and enable the NHS to provide world-class care.
This legislation will make it easier to do clinical trials with and for everyone, making the UK a world-leading destination to do clinical research and ensuring everyone benefits.
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-Dr Matt Westmore, HRA Chief Executive
The new regulations signal the UK’s high expectations for how clinical trials should be conducted and set clear requirements for research transparency. When the new law comes into force, supporting guidance will ensure that everyone understands what is expected and how to do it.
THESE REFORMS WILL:
• Promote public health and ensure protection of participants remains at the heart of legislation
• Facilitate the evaluation and development of new or better medicines to benefit patients and society, and improve public health
• Remove obstacles to innovation, whilst maintaining robust oversight of the safety of trials
• Streamline the regulation of clinical trials and reduce unnecessary burden to those running trials by taking a risk-based approach
• Ensure the legislation enables trial sponsors to work across countries so that the UK remains a preferred site to conduct multi-national trials.
The reforms were developed through a series of stakeholder workshops, seeking the views of a wide range of organisations and individuals from across the clinical research sector, including patient representatives.
A public consultation took place in January to March 2022, to which over 2,000 responses were received, and the Government response was published in March 2023.
Alongside the regulations, the MHRA and HRA are producing guidance to embed meaningful public involvement in clinical trials and increase the diversity of people taking part in research trials.
This will ensure that research findings can improve everyone’s care, helping address health inequalities, because the UK is one of the best places in the world to do research that people can trust.
Modernising the regulatory framework will strengthen the UK’s standing as a prime destination for conducting groundbreaking, safe clinical trials. This aligns with recommendations from the Lord O’Shaughnessy Review, further emphasised in Lord Darzi‘s Independent Investigation of the NHS in England, to make the UK more attractive for commercial clinical trials.
To prepare the clinical trial community for the upcoming changes and facilitate a smooth transition to the new regulations, guidance will be developed through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and will be published during the implementation period.
THE RISE OF TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE: WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025
BY HANNAH WINTLE
Last year was a pivotal time for the UK healthcare sector, with a new government and independent investigation into the NHS in England. Lord Darzi’s report highlighted some uncomfortable truths: that the service is in trouble, and is in need of support.
Now, as the sector looks out to the year ahead as an opportunity to address the challenges and facilitate progress, healthcare professionals have identified the routes to bolstering the service and improving healthcare outcomes throughout the nation.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated advancements to be made, as cited in Lord Darzi’s report, is the role that technology will play in not only improving NHS services, but creating pathways to preventative healthcare which promise to reduce the strain that has weakened the NHS over the past few years.
Health Industry Leaders asked the UK healthcare sector for their views and predictions for what 2025 will bring, and how the NHS can capitalise on advancing technology to restore confidence in its services.
CREATING A ‘CULTURE OF INNOVATION’ WITHIN THE NHS
In Lord Darzi’s report, the need for a ‘major tilt towards technology to unlock productivity’ was one of the key conclusions, and Barbara Harpham, Chair of the Medical Technology Group, explained how this approach might best be navigated.
She said: “This can be achieved with a move to a streamlined, value-based procurement pathway that provides long term benefits to patients and clinicians, greater accountability within ICSs to end the postcode lottery of access, as well as learning from the NHS’s best performers to create a culture of innovation that drives the uptake and implementation of technology across the system.
This is a year of major reform with huge potential for technology for the NHS. “
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-Barbara Harpham, Chair of the Medical Technology Group
Echoing this, Mark Gleeson, Commercial Director at Tidalsense, highlighted the specific use case of AI to drive change for both patients and staff.
“Throughout 2025, healthcare systems will increasingly rely on technological innovation to address critical challenges, including workforce shortages and the rising cost burden of chronic conditions,” he commented.
“Advances in AI, telemedicine, and data analytics will aid earlier diagnosis and more efficient management of long-term disease, with the aim of reducing pressures on overstretched services.
“By integrating these innovations, healthcare delivery will attempt to become more proactive, personalised, and sustainable, improving outcomes while managing resource constraints.”
Technologies such as AI and wearable devices may also have an impact on the wider healthcare landscape in that patients will have greater control over their own health and recovery, reducing the strain on vital healthcare services.
Bernard Ross, CEO of Sky Medical Technology, said: “In 2025, the growing use of medical devices will represent a pivotal turning point in patient wound healing outcomes.
“Incorporating technologies like AI into wearable devices will be a crucial step in speeding up recovery times, as well as significantly reducing costs for healthcare providers. Over the next year, through the use of MedTech, we can expect a radical shift in the way patients self-treat and manage wound care, helping to create a healthier and more active population.”
Carrie Ramskill, chief operating officer at HGS, added: “Looking ahead to next year, we will see the delivery of care and the interface with patients increasingly devolved away from hospitals and surgeries. The need to reduce incremental cost and hospital admissions, as demand from an aging population increases, will result in an increase in telehealth, adoption of digital devices at point of care, and the use of wearables.
“These changes will see AI and machine learning playing increasingly critical roles, analysing vast amounts of patient data to enable more precise diagnoses, predictive analytics, and personalised treatment plans. In summary, we’ll see more focus on accessibility, personalisation and preventative care, enabled by devolved use of technology.”
The shift to preventative healthcare could be a lifeline for the NHS, alleviating pressure by reducing the number of patients relying on its services. Dr Oskar Wenbar, co-founder of digital health platforms e-Surgery and e-Pharmacy, said: “2025 will mark a crucial shift in how we deliver healthcare, driven by necessity rather than choice.
“The integration of predictive analytics with clinical data will enable more personalised, preventative care pathways. This hybrid approach - combining AI-driven insights with human clinical expertise -will become the new standard for managing routine healthcare needs efficiently and safely.”
MITIGATING 2025’S TECHNOLOGYINDUCED CHALLENGES
While the move towards technology highlights opportunities for growth, Chris Clinton, Co-founder and CTO at Naq, also emphasised the importance of increased security: “Unfortunately, as the third most targeted country in the world for cyber-attacks, and recent incidents have demonstrated, throughout 2025, the industry should be prepared for significant cyber-attacks on NHS services.
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With NHS waiting times reaching critical levels, we’ll see an acceleration in AI-supported asynchronous prescribing, particularly for minor health conditions that currently consume 40% of GP appointments.
Dr Oskar Wenbar, co-founder of digital health platforms e-Surgery and e-Pharmacy
“To build greater resilience, achieving higher levels of compliance with existing security standards across the NHS supply chain will be vital. Furthermore, leaders must prepare for new requirements introduced by the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, expected to be introduced during 2025.”
Nick Lansman, Founder and CEO of the Health Tech Alliance, also acknowledged the technology-related hurdles, adding that while 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for the UK’s healthtech sector, thanks to the NHS’s 10-year plan and Government initiatives that seek to accelerate the digital transformation, a united approach will be essential.
He said: “We can expect a surge in AI-powered diagnostic devices, remote patient monitoring, and personalised medicine. However, challenges will still remain like data security, interoperability, and ethics. Success will rely on collaboration between industry and the NHS to unlock the full potential of healthtech and improve patient outcomes.”
POLICY IS KEY TO UNLOCKING LASTING CHANGE
Where policy is concerned, Patti Wynn, Chief Health & Care Strategy Officer at Tunstall Healthcare, gave an insight into how a more preventative model may be unlocked: “As the NHS 10 year plan is consulted on, I’m feeling very positive about the PM’s three clear strands central to his reforms - moving care from hospitals to the community, ensuring an effective and timely switch from analogue to digital services, and a movement towards a preventative model of care delivery.
“We need to ensure at policy level how we change the way money flows around the system to support this transition and recognise the importance of social care and other sectors in delivering an at-home preventative agenda.
Ultimately, 2025 presents a chance for the Labour government to deliver for the NHS throughout its first full year in power, by acting on the challenges identified and securing a more sustainable, preventative, and technologically driven future for the service.
We need to seize the opportunity for the digital agenda to go beyond digitising current ways of working to being an enabler of at-home and preventative models of care at scale.
-Patti Wynn, Chief Health & Care Strategy Officer, Tunstall Healthcare
HEALTH INDUSTRY LEADERS
HEALTH 100 –DECARBONISING THE NHS
04 FEBRUARY 2025
WELSH SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE AND AWARDS
20 JUNE 2025
16 SEPTEMBER 2025
HILCOMMERCIAL RESEARCH DELIVERY
18 SEPTEMBER 2025
NET ZERO NHS SCOTLAND
30 SEPTEMBER 2025
As we enter 2025, Health Industry Leaders has a jam-packed event schedule lined up, touching all aspects of the health sector.
In October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health service to commit to reaching carbon net zero, in response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change.
The “Delivering a Net Zero Health Service” report provides a detailed account of the NHS’ modelling and analytics underpinning the latest NHS carbon footprint, trajectories to net zero and the interventions required to achieve that ambition.
The NHS is responsible for 5% of carbon emissions in the UK and estate emissions comprise approximately 15% of the total NHS carbon emissions profile. With the NHS operating over 1,000 hospitals and primary and tertiary buildings – the demand for net zero is significant within the sector.
As we look to the future and imagine what the NHS will look like at 100, we know that transitioning to a net zero health system won’t be easy and will require a consistent focus. This will include many interventions, including overhauling fleet, reducing emissions, reducing single-use plastics, shifting modes of transport and much more.
WELSH SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE AND AWARDS
20 JUNE 2025
Following a highly successful regional event, Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda University Health Boards came together to collaborate again on the Welsh NHS Sustainability Conference & Awards.
The first national event of its kind in Wales, saw exceptional levels of engagement from all 13 NHS organisations. Delegates were taken on a journey from climate mitigation through to adaptation, shown outstanding examples of innovative projects and heard from colleagues involved in this agenda from all corners of the NHS.
We met the challenge of ‘Spread & Scale’ with interactive sessions led by The Dragon’s Heart Institute with the key message of delivering sustainable healthcare being reinforced by experts and leaders alike.
In its second year, the Welsh NHS Sustainability Conference & Awards is going big!
Delivering sustainable healthcare has never been more important, and this event is designed by those meeting the challenge, for colleagues and partners across the country.
Collaboration across the system to evolve more quickly and protect those who are most exposed to climate risk is imperative.
To do this we need to work together to achieve net zero so shared goals and strengthened relationships will be the key to success.
With a refreshing line up and sessions focussed on the gaps in sustainability in the NHS in Wales, we aim to build on the messaging of the first event and deliver real outcomes.
HEALTH 100 –DECARBONISING THE NHS
04 FEBRUARY 2025
At Decarbonising the NHS, delegates will hear a synopsis of why the NHS needs to change and hear case studies on how the NHS is becoming greener. This conference will examine the progress of ongoing initiatives, whilst dissecting the aspirations to deliver a net zero NHS.
With a focus on all post-conference insight leading to stimulated action. This event will enable stakeholders to review progress and aims to increase the level of ambition with a view to achieving excellence.
HIL –NHS FUTUREFIT
16 SEPTEMBER 2025
The recovery of the NHS is in the hands of the incoming government and the balance of forces able to force change. NHS leaders say they will work positively with ministers and welcome their mission-based approach to placing the NHS on a more sustainable footing.
The NHS overall priority in 2024/25 remains the recovery of core services and productivity following the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve patient outcomes and experience key focus areas remain to maintain collective focus on the overall quality and safety of NHS services.
The NHS will deliver against the 5 strategic priorities for tackling health inequalities by implementing the Core20PLUS5 approach.
National NHS objectives for 2024/25 form the basis for how performance of the NHS will be measured, alongside the local priorities agreed by ICSs.
These include: quality and patient safety, urgent and emergency care, primary and community services, elective care, cancer, diagnostics, maternity, neonatal and women’s health, mental health, people with a learning disability and autistic people, prevention and health inequalities, workforce, use of resources. We all share the desire to deliver more for patients with the resources that we have. A relentless focus on improvement, reducing delays and unnecessary processes will be critical to delivering on the priorities of patients.
Health-100 NHS FutureFit will provide attendees the opportunity to hear from leaders in the NHS and other key delivery partners on the ongoing progress made towards national NHS objectives. Attendees will get the chance to connect with influential leaders and colleagues. With diversity, and inclusion at the heart of the day attendees can spearhead and implement changes in health and social care.
18 SEPTEMBER 2025
The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme will allocate 75% of its £400m investment to expand the UK’s capacity and capability for commercial clinical trials.
The Government’s manifesto to modernise the NHS outlines plans to maximise its potential to lead the world in clinical trials. NHS patients will have earlier access to new treatments and the UK will become the home of cutting-edge health research.
The World-first public-private investment programme worth up to £400 million, which was announced on 28 August 2024 will channel significant investment into the UK’s health and life sciences sector over the next five years to kickstart economic growth and give patients earlier access to new treatments.
New Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) will be established across the four nations, with up to 15 NIHR CRDCs in England.
The CRDCs will:
• Enhance and build upon the UK’s commercial clinical trials infrastructure
• Support diversification of clinical trials to primary, community and social care setting to make taking part in research as easy as possible
• Increase research inclusion to ensure people from all eligible communities and those living with the greatest burden of disease can participate in clinical trials
• Drive innovation and act as a test bed for new approaches to delivering commercial research, working with research infrastructure across the UK
• Fast-track the development of new medicines to patients
This conference will provide the platform for attendees from the NHS, health research communities and prominent members of the life sciences sector to discuss Investment in cuttingedge medicines research, boosting economic growth potential and the prospect of new treatments and
NET ZERO NHS SCOTLAND
30 SEPTEMBER 2025
In 2019, NHS Scotland became the first national health service in the UK to commit to becoming a net-zero organisation. The Scottish Government have committed to pursuing these goals within their own strategies to achieve a sustainable health service.
NHS Scotland’s climate emergency and sustainability strategy: 2022-2026 sets out plans for NHS Scotland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and impact on the environment, adapt to climate change.
On 8th July NHS Education for Scotland (NES) released a new Climate Emergency and Sustainability strategy for 2024-2027, which highlights its role in helping NHS Scotland achieve a net zero health service by 2040.
The strategy includes an action plan for NES to reduce its own emissions and outlines the educational support and training it will offer to the health and social care workforce. This aims to raise awareness and implement new initiatives to combat climate change.
The strategy outlines a number of key areas of activity.
• Education and Training
• Transport and Travel
• Clinical
• Procurement
• Digital Infrastructure
• Capital Projects and Adaptation
• Governance and Policy
• Greenspace and Biodiversity
• Waste
Net Zero NHS Scotland will provide an update on the progress of NHS Scotland’s net-zero targets, whilst dissecting the aspirations of NES strategy for 20242027. The conference will also shine a light tools to make the NHS more environmentally sustainable and
GAVI BOARD APPROVES MEASURES TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY OF VACCINE PROGRAMMES AND BOOST ACCESS IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
BY FLOYD MARCH
The Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has approved a series of decisions that will help countries to sustain their own immunisation programs and close equity gaps in the most vulnerable communities. The decisions were taken amid global demand for vaccines from Gaviimplementing countries.
The two-day meeting, which was hosted by the Indonesian government, saw members take stock of recent historic strides made across Gavi’s core programmatic priorities: In 2024, the Alliance supported the introduction of malaria vaccination programmes, exceeding the forecasted target of 15 countries. Furthermore, the Alliance witnessed an unprecedented scale-up of HPV vaccination campaigns in 2024, with more girls reached with Gavi support than in any other year in history.
At the same time, 2024 saw a rise in the number of zero-dose children in Gavi countries, largely driven by ongoing humanitarian and health crises, an increase in disease outbreaks driven partly by climate change and macroeconomic challenges in some Gavi supported countries, placing at risk their abilities to sustain immunisation programmes.
“Countries increasingly recognise that immunisation is one of the most powerful tools for saving lives, protecting communities and fostering sustainable growth and development,” said Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board. “Gavi is committed to helping countries improve access to vaccines, and to helping them strengthen their own capabilities so that immunisation becomes sustainable over the long term.”
“Against a backdrop of historic progress, decisions taken by our Board today reflect a collective commitment of our partners to strengthen immunisation systems, tackle health inequities and place countries firmly on the path to sustainable transition,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “As we prepare for our next strategic period starting in 2026, we must continue to innovate to address the new challenges we face and achieve the goal of protecting people, communities and our world from preventable disease.”
Indonesia is a living example of the power of the Vaccine Alliance to improve health and development outcomes over the long term. As a recipient of Gavi support in 2002, it has doubled the number of vaccines in routine immunisation program, significantly reduced child mortality and transitioned through the various phases of support to the point where it now fully funds its own immunisation programmes, while maintaining high levels of coverage and benefiting from its partnership with Gavi through the alliance’s Middle-Income Countries (MICs) Approach.
SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Signaling its commitment to helping countries on their pathway towards transitioning away from Gavi support while acknowledging the macroeconomic headwinds many countries are facing, the Board approved changes to Gavi’s transition, eligibility and co-financing model. These changes will see Gavi implement targeted measures for countries in various stages of transition related to co-financing, eligibility thresholds and access to Gavi support, as well as duration of support.
Building on lessons learned from the MICs approach that was first implemented in 2022, the Board also agreed that Gavi will integrate catalytic support for lower middle-income countries and International Development Association (IDA)-eligible countries into Gavi’s broader co-financing model. This support will facilitate the introduction of the following high impact vaccines: HPV, PCV and rotavirus, and potential support for dengue and TB vaccines – taking into account the burden and potential for public health impact in middle-income countries.
ADDRESSING FRAGILITY
Recognising the impact of conflict and climate change on immunisation, the Board approved additional flexibility to support fragile countries, including the possibility of multi-year co-financing waivers for countries grappling with long-term, largescale conflict as well as a special package of support for Small-Island Developing States (SIDS). This latter package seeks to help build resilience against the challenges SIDS grapple with including climate change and an increasing number of natural disasters that lead to a heightened risk of outbreaks and costly emergency response.
STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS
Health systems are critical for equitable provision of immunisation and other vital health services. In recognition of their importance, and the added complexity that comes with an expanded portfolio of vaccines, the Gavi Board approved changes to the health systems policy for its next strategic period, “Gavi 6.0” which begins in 2026.
The revised policy will see consolidated cash grants allocated to countries and a new grant allocation formula that will help ensure that those with greatest need receive adequate support, while also safeguarding vulnerable populations living in fragile settings. In alignment with the goals of the Lusaka agenda, these measures will enhance efficiency, foster greater country ownership of immunisation programmes, in addition to encouraging domestic investments in health systems and cold chain.
A FRAMEWORK FOR DEMAND
With Gavi-implementing countries aiming for a record number of new vaccine introductions for 2024 and 2025, alongside high demand for other types of Gavi support, the Board approved an evidence-informed framework to guide Gavi’s resource allocation to countries to drive the most impact - to be used in the unlikely event that adjustments to currently planned activities are necessary. The unprecedented demand for vaccines further underlines the importance of Gavi’s replenishment process for Gavi 6.0 which was launched in June last year at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, co-hosted by France, the African Union with Team Europe and will culminate in a pledging event in early 2025 with a goal to raise at least US$9 billion from donors.
