The Waiting Room with Atticus Partners

Welcome to the ninth edition of the Atticus Partners Health Newsletter: The Waiting Room. Our monthly newsletter returns after a break over the summer period to continue the analysis of political and industry developments across the health sector. 

First, we take stock of the developments following each of the main Party Conferences, looking at where the battle lines may be drawn regarding healthcare policy between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservatives. Pertinent to this will be the ongoing industrial action affecting the NHS. Our second item looks at the recent blow to the Government’s hopes of a swift end to strikes as nurses turn down the most recent pay offer. Next, we consider NICE’s blocking of the newly hailed Alzheimer's drug, Lecanemab, before finishing with a review of the urgent call for a National Men’s Health Strategy.  

For more information about Atticus Partners’ work in the health sector and our plans for upcoming events, or if you have any questions about how we can support you, particularly engaging with the new Labour Government, please contact health@atticuscomms.com.  

Health updates from Party Conferences

To no one’s surprise health policy has been a large focus of all three Party Conferences this year.  

The Liberal Democrats in Brighton started off in a way only they know how, with Leader Ed Davey riding a jet ski up to the venue.  

However, the stunts were not the only thing to continue from the campaign. Having focused on healthcare in their manifesto and broadcasts in June, the Lib Dems are now seeking to claim the title of official opposition on health and social care. This will be helped by Layla Moran MP’s recent election as Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, who will have one of the few opposition Committee posts for which to hold the Government to account.  

A key motion arising from the Conference floor in Brighton was the call for national maternity ambitions to be expanded and enhanced in line with recommendations from the recent Care and Quality Commission Report. This would see increased funding to boost employment and retention in the maternity and neonatal workforce. 

In Liverpool, the Labour Party Conference was markedly dourer. In light of the Darzi Review, Wes Streeting’s speech this year did not shy away from the challenges the new government faces in addressing dilapidated public services.  

Despite this recognition of the problems, health sector stakeholders were not overly convinced of Labour’s willing to make the fundamental changes needed to ‘get the NHS back on its feet’. Chief Executive of the Health Foundation Dr Jennifer Dixon said “Streeting’s words must be accompanied by investment… and increased capital spending to fix buildings, replacing equipment and making better use of technology”. 

In Birmingham, the Conservatives have found themselves in hot debate on the virtues of maternity pay. Sparked by Kemi Badenoch’s comments regarding paid time off being “excessive”, the leadership hopefuls have been drawn into discussions on the UK’s provision for new mothers. Jenrick hinted that maternity pay was too low, Tugendhat highlighted the inequality with paternity care and Cleverly used the chance to rally against the high costs of childcare.  

Being the Party in power, the onus is certainly on Labour to drive reform in the healthcare space. But as Parliament ramps up again after a long summer, the Lib Dems and a finally stable Tory party will inevitably provide stiff opposition demanding the Government do more whilst simultaneously spending less.  

Industrial action continues

The new Labour Government is continuing to grapple with industrial action across the health service. 

The Government took early steps to try and settle long-standing disputes by accepting the recommendations of public sector pay bodies. These recommended an above-inflation pay rise for millions of public sector workers including teachers and NHS workers.  

Despite this, industrial action across the health service remains a thorn in the side of this Government. Back in August an overwhelming number of GPs in England launched a work-to-rule action. GPs taking part have implemented a range of actions including limiting the number of appointments to 25 patients per day, no longer sharing patient data and ignoring guidelines on rationing treatments within the NHS. 

While the British Medical Association has described this as a “slow burn”, there has been speculation that GPs may “ramp up” action and demand an 11% funding increase, suggesting this dispute shows no signs of abating for now.  

There was more bad news for the Government when the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced - in the middle of the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ conference speech - that its members had rejected the government’s 5.5% pay rise offer. However, the RCN is not planning a ballot of its members and will take a wait-and-see approach to understand how the Government will react. All eyes will be on what happens next. 

However, it has not been all doom and gloom. A few weeks ago, junior doctors in England accepted a pay deal worth 22.3% on average over two years. This welcome news will bring an end to the bitter pay dispute which impacted millions of appointments, procedures and operations and cost the NHS at least £3 billion.  

The new Government has found itself grappling with a similar set of health issues to the previous administration in terms of industrial action. The mixed outcomes and complexities of handling these various disputes suggest that it is set to be a long road ahead. 

The UK's first Alzheimer's drug - a milestone too costly for the NHS?

In a recent development that has sent ripples through the medical community, the UK's health regulator, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has decided not to approve Lecanemab for routine use on the NHS. This decision comes despite the drug’s promising results in clinical trials and its potential to improve the lives of those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease – potentially benefitting 70,000 adults in England. 

Lecanemab, a drug that has been hailed as a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment, showed the ability to slow cognitive decline by approximately 25% over an 18-month period in trials. However, NICE’s draft guidance has cast a shadow over this optimism by highlighting concerns about the drug’s cost-effectiveness. 

The regulator noted that while Lecanemab’s benefits are notable, including a delay in progression from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s by four to six months, the associated costs are deemed too high for the NHS to justify. These costs are compounded by the need for intensive monitoring and frequent hospital visits due to the possibility of serious side-effects – adding a substantial financial burden to the already stretched national health system. 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave their green light for the revolutionary drug – with their Interim Executive Director for healthcare quality and access, Julian Beach, stating: “together with the conditions of the licence approval, the appropriate regulatory standards for this medicine have been met.” This makes the UK the first country in Europe to licence the medicine – despite the EU’s drugs regulator recently rejecting the drug as a result of its risk of causing brain swelling. 

Alzheimer’s Research UK has expressed mixed feelings, calling the approval of Lecanemab a milestone but also lamenting NICE’s decision – with their Head of Policy, David Thomas describing the outcome as "bittersweet," reflecting the complexity of balancing medical advancements with economic constraints. 

While NICE’s final decision will come later this year after a public consultation, the impact on similar guidance in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland remains uncertain. This means that only a small number of patients across the UK will be able to access and pay for Lecanemab privately. 

As the search for effective Alzheimer’s treatments continues, this decision underscores the ongoing challenge of integrating new therapies into public health systems in a cost-effective manner. The healthcare community will be closely watching as developments unfold, hoping for future breakthroughs relating to Alzheimer's drugs that can both advance treatment options and remain accessible to those who need them most. 

The Urgent Need for a National Men's Health Strategy

The phrase “silent health crisis” is becoming a common way to describe the serious, often overlooked health issues facing men today. A recent report from the Local Government Association brought further attention to this problem, revealing that men living in deprived areas can have life expectancies up to 10 years shorter than those in more affluent regions. This disparity has sparked discussions regarding a National Men’s Health Strategy amid broader concerns about the state of the NHS. 

The gaps in men’s health reflect broader systemic issues, particularly the severe mental health crisis in the UK. According to Men’s Minds Matter, men account for 76% of all suicides in the UK, with over 13 men taking their own lives each day. This stark reality is compounded by the fact that men are more likely than women to die prematurely across all age groups. The King’s Fund also found that men’s health issues often lack attention, particularly in Northern communities where chronic conditions are worsened by persistent socio-economic disparities. Risk factors such as smoking and obesity drive these inequalities, leading to premature deaths from conditions including cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.  

To tackle the silent health crisis, a targeted National Men’s Health Strategy is essential. This strategy should provide a structured approach to prevention, early intervention, and reducing health inequalities, with a strong focus on mental health.  

While addressing physical health issues such as obesity, cancer, and heart disease is crucial, the strategy must also prioritise the high rates of suicide and mental health issues among men. A comprehensive approach that considers both physical and mental health will lead to a healthier workforce, alleviate pressure on the NHS, and ultimately contribute to a healthier society. 

This is a critical opportunity for Wes Streeting to fulfil his promise of ending the "begging bowl" culture in his Department, and to confront the mounting strain on the NHS. Immediate and decisive action is needed to reverse the troubling trend of worsening men’s health and make a meaningful impact on countless lives.  

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that support is available. Reach out to Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123. 

To find out more about how Atticus helps health organisations navigate the changing regulatory, legislative and media landscapes, get in touch with our team at health@atticuscomms.com to learn more about what we can do for you.