Innovation in UK healthcare: Dr Penny Dash on challenges, opportunities and the NHS

By Marc Ambasna-Jones 23 Oct 24 Reading time: 4 mins

Systemic inertia and an inability to phase out outdated models of care are making progress difficult in the NHS, frustrating innovators and undermining value, according to Dr Penny Dash, Chair of NW London Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Dr Dash, recently tasked with leading a Cabinet Office review for the Quality Care Commission (CQC) was speaking at the Bristol Tech Festival, during which Sir Patrick Vallance outlined the need for long-term investment in start-ups and university spinouts to grow the UK economy, as well as a £300m investment for South West innovation. 

“There is a massive opportunity to improve productivity in the NHS,” said Dash, “but the biggest issue is you’ve got to take out the old, and that’s the bit we consistently struggle with.”

While highlighting the UK’s healthcare system as one that urgently needs innovation yet struggles to adopt it effectively, she did note that there “is ample opportunity in the sector.” However, this tension between potential and stagnation is a defining feature of the current state of healthcare in the UK and it needs addressing with some urgency.

Despite significant public spending, healthcare outcomes are not matching the level of investment. Dash points out that healthcare accounts for 14% of GDP and 20% of day-to-day public spending, yet inefficiencies persist. A striking example is that 30% of doctor time is wasted on moving information around due to outdated systems. The NHS app, which was widely praised during the pandemic for facilitating vaccine appointments, has not been utilised for GP appointments in the same way, with less than 1% of bookings made through it.

Healthcare innovation

The UK government has made healthcare innovation a priority, acknowledging that modernisation is essential to sustain the NHS, through tech adoption, digital transformation, and AI. The strategy also includes a review of pension systems to unlock more investment in health-tech and life sciences start-ups, a sector that has recently seen significant venture capital interest.

For Dash, this is not just a financial issue but one of systemic transformation. She emphasises that while government funding is critical, it is equally important to challenge outdated models of healthcare delivery. The move towards integrated care systems (ICS) is a step in the right direction, she says but only if they are fully leveraged to deliver preventive, personalised care that uses data analytics and digital health tools.

“In India, hospitals reduced nursing staff by 50% using continuous monitoring apps for patients,” she said. “That’s a game changer, both for quality and growth.”

The NHS, she argued, could dramatically improve both productivity and patient outcomes by adopting similar approaches.

“Our remit is to improve outcomes in population health, reduce inequalities, and drive value through productivity. But there is much more we can do, especially in supporting broader economic and social value.”

Dash sees opportunities for start-ups, investors, and innovators to revolutionise healthcare. There is a significant opportunity for digital health solutions that address inefficiencies like missed appointments and underutilised resources. AI-driven diagnostics could also help tackle long-standing health issues such as undiagnosed hypertension and inadequate diabetes care, she said.

Looking to the future, the focus must shift towards longer-term innovations like genomics and AI-based personalised healthcare. However, realising this vision will require not only significant investment but also a commitment to overhauling the NHS’s infrastructure and culture. Dash said that the NHS in north west London is one example of a trust that is trying, acting as “a test bed for start-ups.”

“We need ideas. Bring your ideas in – products, digital tech, you name it. We need to challenge the current system and we need support for change,” said Dash.

Earlier this year a TechUK report, Medical design and technology trends for 2024, offered a useful guide for where healthcare innovation is headed, focusing on AI integration, wearable technology, and biometrics. The report underscores the importance of addressing preventive care through technologies that reduce inefficiencies and improve patient care.

“We need ideas. Bring your ideas in – products, digital tech, you name it. We need to challenge the current system and we need support for change.”

On that front, Dash believes that the healthcare sector has the potential to be a wealth creator and a driver of economic growth, if it can embrace innovation at scale. In the UK, venture capital investment in health-tech and life sciences is on the rise, with large funding rounds for companies like EyeBio and IntraBio. This surge in investment offers hope that the healthcare sector is on the cusp of a technological transformation.

In the end, the future of healthcare in the UK will depend on the ability to balance immediate, tech-driven solutions with a longer-term focus on infrastructure and systemic reform. With the right investments and an openness to change, the NHS has the potential to become a global leader in patient-centred, tech-driven healthcare.

Marc Ambasna-Jones / Editor-in-chief

Working as a technology journalist and writer since 1989, Marc has written for a wide range of titles on technology, business, education, politics and sustainability, with work appearing in The Guardian, The Register, New Statesman, Computer Weekly and many more.