Transforming healthcare through innovation and collaboration

Healthcare matters to us all. Thanks to technological advances, the scope for improved healthcare and better access to services is greater than ever.

But, despite world-renowned research and development, universities, and healthcare services, the UK faces many challenges - with increasing demand exacerbated by a decline in productivity, supply chain issues and skills shortages.

In this newsletter, we highlight ways in which companies are innovating to solve problems in human health and science - and the importance of collaboration.

Addressing health challenges

With economic inactivity at an all-time high, an aging workforce, and mental health driving increased long-term sickness, maintaining a healthy population is a growing problem.

In the first episode in our ‘Next in Health’ LinkedIn Live series, our panel explored how prevention rather than cure can support society and a healthy, productive workforce. Our guest speakers were Rachel Sylvester, Chair of The Times Health Commission, and Dr Ruw Abeyratne, Director of Health Equality and Inclusion at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Listen to the full episode here. 

Next, we discussed how public and private healthcare can harness the power of technology and data to transform healthcare with Pritesh Mistry, policy fellow for digital technologies at The King's Fund, and Charlotte Williams, Chief Strategy & Improvement Officer at Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. And our most recent episode combines thinking from across health and pharmaceuticals around the power of innovation and collaboration in delivering the best patient outcomes with Dave Tudor, Managing Director of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre at CPI, and Malte Gerhold, Director of Innovation and Improvement at The Health Foundation.

Solving the hardest problems in human health

Our Life Sciences Future50 report celebrates the companies innovating to solve the hardest problems in human health through AI, biopharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics and digital health. 

As well as exploring how these companies are delivering improved outcomes - across areas including drug discovery, cell and gene therapy manufacturing and healthcare services - the report reveals the sector’s significant contribution to the UK economy as well as barriers to the sector realising its full potential.

Research from Strategy& highlights how GenAI will impact industries across the UK and EMEA - with pharmaceuticals and life sciences among those with the greatest immediate opportunities to create value. 

The highest value use cases for GenAI in pharma - such as drug discovery and optimisation - offer significant opportunities to reinvent business models and the competitive landscape. But the customisation and training required of the technology, alongside the need to manage ethical, regulatory and bias risk, create a need for organisations to prime their workforce and culture for GenAI.

Tech powered innovation

As the NHS faces ever greater challenges for its workforce and productivity, the role of digital technology and transformation in improving patient outcomes is critical. Our recent article in the New Statesman looks at how streamlining digital and administrative processes can reduce waiting lists, improve services and make employees and patients happier. 

Some of our work to drive innovation across healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences was brought to life in our Annual Report. Collaborations with organisations such as the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre are helping to tackle challenges in pharmaceutical supply chains, while our work with Ramsay Health Care UK helped improve performance and boost staff morale to enhance patient experiences.

Join us in solving today’s important problems

If you’re passionate about making a difference through purpose-led work and solving society’s biggest issues, consider a career with us. We’re building a diverse, ambitious team. You’ll get to work with the latest technologies, in an environment that empowers you to think differently.

Find out more about our Experienced Hire and Early Careers opportunities.

Subscribe to receive all future issues of PwC UK's monthly In the Spotlight newsletter.