Technology
Unleashing the power of HealthTech
In this article, the Association of British HealthTech Industries’ Jonathan Evans explores the immense potential of HealthTech to not only drive sustainability and economic growth, but also to address pressing healthcare challenges through innovation and collaboration.
The UK HealthTech sector stands at a pivotal moment in its development. With the potential to create over 50,000 new skilled jobs and double its current £13bn economic contribution to the UK, HealthTech can be a cornerstone of the nation’s future economic success. These bold projections, as outlined in a new
report produced by the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) in collaboration with Imperial College London, are a powerful reminder of the sector’s largely untapped potential. Yet, unlocking this potential requires a concerted effort to address key challenges, including capital shortages, skills gaps, and regulatory uncertainties. At its core, HealthTech has the power to
transform healthcare, not only by improving patient outcomes and NHS efficiency but also by driving sustainability in an industry increasingly focused on reducing its environmental footprint. As the NHS aims to achieve its ambitious Net Zero targets, the HealthTech sector has a crucial role to play in helping the UK meet these goals, positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable healthcare solutions.
Sustainability at the forefront of HealthTech innovation One of the most significant contributions HealthTech can make is in the area of sustainability. The NHS, as the first healthcare system in the world to enshrine Net Zero emissions targets into legislation, has committed to achieving an 80% reduction in its direct emissions by 2028-2032, reaching Net Zero for the emissions it can control by 2040, and for those it can influence by 2045. These ambitious targets present both a challenge and an opportunity for the HealthTech sector. By developing new, sustainable technologies and rethinking product lifecycles, HealthTech companies can drive both environmental progress and economic growth. The report proposes the creation of a Sustainable HealthTech Innovation Centre, which would serve as a hub for manufacturers,
innovators, and government bodies to tackle the sustainability challenges facing the sector. This centre would focus on R&D collaboration, bringing together experts in materials science, manufacturing, and healthcare to create sustainable medical devices that meet the NHS’s procurement requirements. The ultimate goal is to develop products that are not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost- effective and scalable. Take, for example, the challenge of single-use plastics in healthcare. Medical devices often rely on plastics due to their cost-efficiency, sterility, and versatility. However, this reliance on disposables has
created a significant environmental burden, particularly for a healthcare system as large as the NHS. The HealthTech sector is uniquely positioned to address this issue by supporting the development and use of new, sustainable materials that can be reused, recycled, or remanufactured, helping the NHS reduce its carbon footprint and meet its Net Zero goals.
Circular economy and HealthTech The concept of a circular economy - where products are designed to be reused, refurbished, or recycled - has significant potential within
HealthTech. In a circular healthcare system, older medical equipment would be repaired, remanufactured, and recycled rather than disposed of after use. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also extends the lifecycle of valuable medical equipment, leading to cost savings for healthcare providers like the NHS. Pioneering companies in the HealthTech
sector are already exploring ways to incorporate circular economy principles into their product design and manufacturing processes. For instance, by creating modular devices that can be easily disassembled and reassembled, HealthTech innovators are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future. The report highlights that this shift towards a circular economy could reduce the carbon footprint of individual pieces of medical equipment by up to 85% over their lifetime - a massive step forward in the drive for sustainability. However, making these changes on a broad
scale requires more than just innovation from industry - it requires policy support. The report outlines several specific policy recommendations designed to encourage the development of sustainable healthcare technologies. One such
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