Health

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has agreed to a deal for millions of life-saving vaccines to be produced in the UK if a future influenza pandemic is ever declared.

The UKHSA 10-year Science Strategy sets out how the UK Government will prepare and respond to future health security hazards and current threats to save lives. The new plan, Securing health and prosperity, examines how the UK can utilise its scientific capabilities – including genomics, data science, and diagnostics – to reduce harm, protect livelihoods and strengthen the overall capacity of health security.

The Health and Social Care Committee has published a new report on Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), calling for the Government and NHS England to address key concerns if an opportunity to deliver real change is to be achieved.

Amanda Pritchard has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of NHS England. Her appointment was approved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday (28 July 2021). She is the first woman to hold the role, which she will take up on 1 August 2021. As Chief Executive, she will be responsible for a budget of £130 billion [1]. Her appointment follows a competitive recruitment process by the Board of NHS England and NHS Improvement.

On 18 August 2020, the Government announced the creation of a new public health organisation, then called the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP), that would replace and combine the responsibilities of Public Health England (PHE), NHS Test and Trade, and the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC).

Brevia Consulting has appointed Mike Thompson as Chairman of Brevia Health and a member of its Advisory Board.  Mike brings over 25 years of experience in the Life Sciences sector including, most recently, as CEO of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and in senior roles at GSK.