Sector spotlight: Healthcare

Fact…

• There are 230 health and life sciences companies in the South West of England
• More than 80,000 people are employed in the healthcare sector across the region
• And 15,000 university researchers are working on health and life sciences

“When we think of the healthcare sector and its economic impact, naturally our view is more often than not focused on those who provide care – our hospitals, GP practices and community care services,” says chair of the health and life science sector group at the West of England LEP, Lars Sundstrom. “Whilst the region’s healthcare providers generate significant jobs and GDP directly and indirectly through procuring services, the vibrant and burgeoning health economy here in the West of England is much more, including a significant hub of private sector businesses, social enterprises and Universities all focused on research and development, innovation and growth in the health and life sciences field.

“So much so that the sector as a whole is one of the largest employers in the West of England, making it an area of great potential for those already located here, as well as for inward investors specialising in the technology and healthcare arenas who are looking for new market opportunities.”

A number of innovative products are being developed here. Alongside its existing range of implantable medical devices, the Bioinduction Group in Hotwells has developed a compact deep brain stimulator that is small enough to be implanted into the skull – competing devices are larger and need to be placed in the chest cavity – and is used to treat chronic pain and Parkinson’s disease. “The main advantage is that it reduces surgery time,” says COO Mark Wragg. Millions have been invested in the product and hopes are high for its success when it launches, hopefully some time in 2017.

Micrima has developed groundbreaking breast imaging technology that could change the way breast cancer screening is carried out and slash costs in the process.

Medical robotics are another strong field, drawing in Bristol’s technological strengths. Alongside major players such as Open Bionics and Renishaw, Bristol Robotics Lab is working constantly on new innovations, including minimally invasive instrumentation for robotic surgery, haptic sensing to give robots a sense of touch, rehabilitation for the restoration of hand motor function following a stroke, bio-inspired joints and intelligent homes to help older adults monitor their nutrition and mobility. A consortium of leading researchers, care providers and robotics experts have been awarded over £2m by Innovate UK to develop a modular robotic solution to allow people to stay in their homes for as long as possible. The Office for Budget Responsibility recognises that by 2065, 26 per cent of the population of England and Wales would be more than 65 years old, up from 18 per cent today, making a clear business case.

The CHIRON project is developing a connected system of modular robotic components, which can be adapted to different assistive tasks, and designed to be mixed and matched.

SETsquared is backing funding for the development of web, mobile and tablet technologies to improve patient care and health service provision, pledging £500,000 for creative and digital companies to support the development of healthcare solutions through the South West Interactive Healthcare Programme. It aims to improve cross-sector collaborations and open up new opportunities of scale for creative professionals to work with business clusters in the healthcare sector. 

“This project promises to improve the wellbeing of patients receiving regional healthcare,” says innovation director at SETsquared, Simon Bond. “We look forward to working with creative and digital companies on developing new technologies. These could include innovations that will enable healthcare workers to work more effectively with patients and their families, through ‘smart’ homes technologies, for example.

“We hope that the funding will give a real boost to health service provision in the South West and allow patients and their carers to manage their health and wellbeing more independently.”

Of course, traditional business opportunities still exist alongside innovations. “More people live longer now so need more care, often complex care,” says CEO of industry body Care and Support West, David Smallacombe. “There are increasing numbers of older people, as well as disabled people who may not previously have survived childhood. That means that despite Central Government’s drive to reduce the cost of domiciliary care, residential and nursing services all are enjoying a resurgence,” he says, naming major local companies such as Barchester, Four Seasons, Milestones Trust, St Monica Trust, Medacs Healthcare and Human Support Group among others. He says it’s crucial to maintain a varied and vibrant market place and estimates that 80 per cent of the care commissioned is delivered by SMEs or small family businesses, forming an important part of the care matrix.

“Commissioning local authorities are stretched and need independent care providers more than ever.”

Established in 1987, the privately-run Spire Bristol Hospital is the only one in the South West able to undertake complex and advanced surgery. It’s 350 consultants and specialists see more than 40,000 patients a year and performs over 10,000 operations. “With the demand on the NHS increasing there is a greater need for private healthcare facilities,” says marketing executive Sam Harrison. “As the South West’s largest private hospital we are looking to grow and sustain ourselves as one of the leading facilities for healthcare within this country.”

“Meanwhile Bristol Community Health is a not-for-profit social enterprise delivering NHS health services and support to adults and children, in the community and at home. It is one of the top employee-owned companies nationally, with a current turnover of over £74 million.

Funded by NHS England and Bristol CCG, the organisation spun out of the delivery arm of the local NHS primary care trust in 2011 and reinvests all profits back into patient care.

Bristol Community Health’s clinicians make 35,000 adult healthcare ‘contacts’ every month and treat a third of Bristol’s over 65s. Over the last year, the team avoided the need for at least 4000 adults to be admitted into the city’s hospitals, and supported over 3,200 to come home from hospital early, giving these patients a better experience, safer care and more rapid recovery. 

“Our holistic, person-centred approach and community reach, maximise our impact and social value,” says chief executive, Julia Clarke. “Over the last few years we’ve enjoyed strong growth: our main adult services contract has been extended until 2019, and we recently won two large new contracts (for prison healthcare and an interim contract for children’s community healthcare, in partnership with Sirona care & health and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust). The new contracts meant that on the 1 April 2016, our turnover increased from £48 million to £74 million and our staff team grew by 41 per cent overnight.”

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