“Change starts now,” declared Sir Keir Starmer this morning, announcing Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election. We reached out to health tech leaders to gather their reactions to Labour’s landslide win and to discuss the priorities that Wes Streeting, the new health minister, should focus on. Here are their insights:
Tom Whicher, CEO of DrDoctor, is eager to see Labour fulfill its NHS promises by swiftly implementing the pledged 40,000 additional appointments per week to address waiting lists. He emphasizes the importance of investing in new technologies to empower patients in managing their healthcare needs.
Pritesh Mistry, a digital technologies fellow at King’s Fund, applauds Labour’s recognition of technology’s significance in the future of healthcare. He stresses the need for a skilled workforce to effectively integrate technologies into healthcare workflows and calls for confirmed funding to modernize digital infrastructure.
Steve Sawyer, MD of The Access Group HSC, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing primary and social care services to alleviate pressure across the care continuum. He highlights the potential of tech-enabled solutions like social prescribing to support patients and improve community healthcare.
Jane Rendall, MD of Sectra UK and Ireland, sees the Labour government’s commitment to advanced technology as an opportunity for health tech businesses and the NHS. She emphasizes the need for targeted investments in areas like diagnostics to leverage technology effectively in addressing pressing healthcare demands.
Lee Francis, Sales and Marketing Director at PatientSource, warns against reverting to outdated approaches and stresses the value of adopting innovative solutions from SMEs to deliver efficient and tailored healthcare services. He calls for a new health tech strategy that fosters innovation and agility in response to evolving healthcare needs.
In conclusion, it’s clear from the diverse perspectives shared by these health tech leaders that Labour’s victory presents a significant opportunity to leverage technology for transformative change in the NHS. By prioritizing investments in digital solutions and fostering collaboration with industry experts, the new government can pave the way for a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare system.
