The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) welcomes the measures in today’s Budget that provide additional investment in health technologies for the NHS and support the Government’s ambition to deliver care closer to patients’ homes.

 

The Chancellor has committed £300m in further capital funding to deploy technology that enhances patient outcomes and NHS service productivity, while 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres are set to be created through a combination of public investment and private finance by 2030. These centres offer an ideal setting for expanded use of diagnostic testing to prevent disease, inform clinical decision-making, and enable earlier detection.

 

We also note the Government’s intention to simplify and encourage the procurement of innovative products by appointing a senior Procurement Innovation Champion in each department and creating an Innovation Marketplace for strategically important innovative companies.

 

Additional support has been earmarked for small businesses looking to scale-up and remain in the UK, including widened access to schemes such as the Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI). We also welcome the planned increase in annual Government R&D funding – rising to £22.6bn by 2029–2030 – with pioneering firms in key sectors set to benefit from a dedicated £4.5bn via UKRI over the same period.

 

BIVDA will seek further clarification from the Government on the measures and funding announced, including the remit of Neighbourhood Health Centres and how they will work alongside existing community initiatives such as Pharmacy First and Community Diagnostic Centres; and how money will be allocated across the 'technology' space. We will also continue to pursue our Budget proposals with wider stakeholders aimed at enabling greater procurement of diagnostic equipment, while delivering better value for the taxpayer.

 

Helen Dent, Chief Executive of BIVDA, said: ‘We support the Government's ambitions and commitments to provide more care to patients in their community, including through the opening of new Neighbourhood Health Centres. These centres have the potential to ensure many more patients receive earlier diagnosis and timely support, closer to home.

 

‘However, there is a need to go further to ensure that by working with the new Procurement Innovation Champions, both existing and new diagnostic innovations are adopted, launched and used at scale across the NHS. This will not only improve patient outcomes through earlier detection of conditions but will also support the Government’s wider economic growth agenda by accelerating innovation and creating a stronger, more productive diagnostics sector.’