How diagnostics can help to mend our "broken" NHS

For the NHS, I’m sure I’m not alone in believing that the change promised by our new Government should not take the form of another round of sweeping, complex, top-down reorganisations.  Instead, what is needed is a coherent series of targeted, realistic and pragmatic changes designed to alleviate some of the unrelenting pressure NHS staff continue to be under, whilst also delivering the greatest impact for patients.

And earlier and more widespread access to the right diagnostic tests and solutions, at the right time, could play a key role here.

The challenges the healthcare system is experiencing are not new but the consensus seems to be that the situation right now is as bad as it has ever been.  In the run up to the election politicians all had a different version of the reasons for this but now the election results are in, the ‘why’ already feels much less important than the ‘what are we going to do about it.’ 

Demand is high and only set to increase, waiting lists are too long, the workforce is beset by shortages and those working on the front line are exhausted and frustrated by not being able to deliver the standard of treatment and care that they want for their patients.

A key part of the solution for all of these challenges could, and I would argue should, involve more of a balance of resource prioritisation between the treatment end of the patient journey, and prevention and early diagnosis of infection and disease.  This could be achieved through, for example, greater emphasis on and more investment in screening programmes and by making more testing available for the health conditions which impact huge numbers of the population including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes and cardiac diseases such as heart failure.

All the evidence shows that the earlier patients receive a diagnosis the more effectively and efficiently their condition can be managed, which in turn reduces demand for already overstretched specialist services and creates more capacity and improved access for the patients who really need them.

We could also deliver some “quick wins” by speeding up the adoption of diagnostic innovations.

For example:

⇒ The development and increased accuracy of handheld and portable diagnostic tools provides a real opportunity to deliver quick and reliable results at the patient’s bedside or in community locations beyond traditional healthcare settings. These devices can and should be instrumental in addressing major public health challenges such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, as well as enabling timely diagnosis of infectious diseases, monitoring chronic conditions, and facilitating rapid decision-making in emergency situations.

⇒ The use of machine learning algorithms that accurately predict disease risk through the analysis of complex biomarker profiles. These powerful tools aid clinicians in the design of personalised treatment regimes, using targeted treatments, to give patients the best possible outcome.

⇒ The collaborative efforts of researchers, clinicians, and the integration of technology are paving the way for a more nuanced and effective approach to tackling the complexities of Alzheimer’s Disease. My hope is that under this Government we will see the increased emphasis on the early and accurate diagnosis of this cruel disease that everyone is calling for. 

Since the pandemic the pace of innovation around diagnostics has really accelerated, with the aim of making testing quicker, more accurate, and bringing it closer to patients. But that innovation is only beneficial if it gets to the people who need it.

Labour’s leading figures have been talking about the value of earlier diagnosis – for patients themselves, as well as for reducing pressure on the wider health system – for some time. Which is great to hear but of course, much easier said than done, particularly given the compound difficulties caused by the fallout of the COVID pandemic, funding constraints and staff shortages.

However, what is also really positive, is that all the signs suggest they are prepared to work in genuine partnership with those of us who are also invested in getting the NHS back on its feet – royal colleges, industry bodies, patient groups and the healthcare and life sciences industry.

So my message to Sir Keir Starmer, Wes Streeting and the newly formed Government is simply this - how can we help and when do we start?