British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA)

In the current turbulent times, with the NHS under pressure, the most challenging political climate in living memory, and economic uncertainty, the role of BIVDA is more crucial to the success of the medical diagnostics sector than ever before. With that in mind, we have launched our 2024-2027 strategy to place diagnostics at the heart of healthcare - for all.

🗣️ Former PM Rishi Sunak called for a targeted national screening programme for prostate cancer at yesterday's Prime Minister's Questions. In response, the Prime Minister pledged to diagnose prostate cancer earlier and treat it faster, pledging to work with his predecessor to make this a reality. We welcome Mr Sunak's intervention as despite prostate cancer being the country's most common cancer with 55,000 new cases each year, it currently lacks a national screening programme. Diagnosing prostate cancer early gives countless men the chance to live long, healthy lives after treatment, which is we must work towards screening men who are most at risk of developing the disease. #ProstateCancer #Diagnostics https://lnkd.in/ekCp9pvk

🦠 National Audit Office calls on government to do more to tackle AMR.   A report from the UK National Audit Office has called on the UK to do more to tackle antimicrobial resistance, and identified that the 2019-2024 action plan hit just one of its five targets. The report calls out failure to hit the target to report on the percentage of antibiotic prescriptions that are supported by an objective diagnostic test, after NHS England advised it would not be possible to measure the target reliably. Increasing the proportion of antibiotics issued after a diagnostic test was seen as crucial by the authors of the UK’s 2016 review of antimicrobial resistance, because it could cut the volume of incorrect prescribing. The report’s recommendations include a national preparedness exercise to test AMR resilience and strengthening performance monitoring and implantation – which BIVDA called for in our response to the 2024-2029 AMR action plan. BIVDA’s Director of Policy and Programmes Paul DF said “The NAO have been firm in their assessment that government needs to do more to tackle AMR. BIVDA welcome their recommendations. "BIVDA are developing a consensus statement on how diagnostics must be used to tackle AMR, which will be launched in Parliament on the 1st April. "We will continue to press government to adopt the recommendations of the O’Neil review, that no antibiotics should ever be prescribed in the absence of a diagnostic test.” You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e-DrbSZn #AMR #Diagnostics #AMRNationalActionPlan

Amanda Pritchard will step down as NHS England CEO at the end of next month, with Sir Jim Mackey taking over as interim chief.

🤔 Have you signed up for the latest BIVDA Near Patient Testing (NPT) working party meeting yet? On 6th March between 14:00 - 16:30, we will welcome Pari Datta and Nicola Broughton of the CPI, part of UK Government’s Catapult network of innovation centres. They will talk about their work on behalf of the UK Government’s Office for Life Sciences to develop industrial partnerships that will accelerate near patient testing. As part of an exciting agenda, Dr Stephen Kidd will provide an introduction to Molecular Diagnostic Hubs (MDH), while Amin Belal (BHR BIOSYNEX) will examine diagnostics' ability to drive impactful local testing events. Members can sign-up here: https://lnkd.in/dBg3-BSC

🗣️ BIVDA were honoured to speak at the launch of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in In Vitro Diagnostics (HRC) last Friday. Ross Stevenson, BIVDA board member and representative from Thermo Fisher Scientific, joined a panel discussion on the NHS 10-Year Plan, providing key insights into its likely impact on diagnostics companies and the future of NHS care. We look forward to collaborating with the HRC to support their vital work in advancing diagnostic innovation and improving patient outcomes. #HealthTech #Diagnostics #Innovation #NHS

🎉 Congratulations to BIVDA member Alpha Laboratories Ltd. who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. In that time, they have notably become a leader in Faecal Immunochemical and Calprotectin testing, offering products that help clinicians make timely, accurate diagnoses and improve patient outcomes. You can read more about their work and legacy here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJJq598Q

🎫 Members may be interested in attending MEMTAB 2025: "Methodology That Stands the Test”. Taking place at the University of Birmingham from 29 April - 1 May, MEMTAB is the leading international conference about methods to evaluate models, tests & biomarkers for healthcare. It allows debate & dissemination of best methods for developing, evaluating & identifying reliable models, tests & biomarkers for use in clinical practice.  Earlybird registration closes 28 February! Find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dx6BBmjU Jon D.

🚀 Innovate UK join BIVDA to tackle Mpox.   Yesterday, BIVDA and Innovate UK brought together senior figures from industry, government, and academia to discuss how diagnostics would play a part in an Mpox pandemic. Commissioned by DHSC’s Chief Scientific Advisor and CEO of NIHR, Prof. Lucy Chappell, the group discussed the current and future status of Mpox , available diagnostic solutions, and enablers for pandemic preparedness. With expert speakers including David Ulaeto (Dstl), Richard Vipond (UK Health Security Agency) and BIVDA’s Dr Jayne Ellis, the group will look to create a playbook for a diagnostic solution. Key takeaways included the need for more sensitive home or community-based testing, the requirement for tests to discriminate between Mpox and chickenpox in children, and leveraging the UK’s recent pandemic experience. We will be collating the findings of the workshop and sharing with attendees. If you have an interest in Mpox or wish to discuss this more, please contact BIVDA. #Mpox #Diagnostics #PandemicPreparedness

🗓️ Just a month to go until the inaugural Women in DiagnostiXX meeting in the BIVDA office! Taking place on Tuesday 18th March 2025, we are excited to host the meeting, which will facilitate the expansion of the ever-growing female IVD network. The event is exclusively for BIVDA members. The day will feature talks on equality, empowerment and engagement so expect active discussions, panel debates, and productive conversations. You can book you tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eXDKkdzC #WomenInDiagnostics #Diagnostics #InternationalWomensDay #IVDs Lucy L.