Quantifying the Impact of NHS-Industry Partnerships

Problem Statement: Partnerships between the NHS and the life sciences industry aim to support NHS priorities, improve patient outcomes, and optimise resource use. However, quantifiable evidence of the cumulative impact of these collaborations across the UK is limited.

Description: This case study analyses the cumulative impact of NHS-industry partnerships on healthcare decision-making and outcomes, using real-world evidence (RWE). The study examines data from secondary and primary care levels across the UK, focusing primarily on cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes management. Findings indicate that secondary care trusts with partnerships align more closely with HTA-approved prescribing guidelines, leading to a 59% stronger correlation between increased prescribing and improved patient outcomes. Collaborating trusts saw a reduction in hospital stays, equating to 530,000 fewer bed days and annual savings of £185 million. In primary care, collaborations enhance disease management, with a 63% improvement in blood glucose control among frail diabetic patients and a 28% greater improvement in cardiovascular disease control in collaborating Primary Care Networks compared to the national average.

Lessons Learned:

• Partnerships facilitate adherence to HTA guidelines, improving treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.
• Collaborations in secondary care reduce patient length of stay, cost savings.
• In primary care, targeted partnerships can enhance chronic disease management and control.

Stakeholder Perspective:

Commissioners and Providers: Benefit from improved resource use, cost savings, and enhanced patient care.

Patients: Gain access to effective treatments and improved health outcomes.

Industry: Gains evidence of the impact of their products and partnerships, supporting innovation and adoption.

Government and Policymakers: Obtain valuable insights into the benefits of cross-sector collaborations, guiding future healthcare policies.

This study underscores the importance of sustained NHS-industry partnerships, advocating for their expansion as a tool to achieve better patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, and support for the UK's life sciences sector.