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David Cameron eyes NHS-life sciences partnership David Cameron eyes NHS-life sciences partnership
(about 6 hours later)
 
The NHS should be "opened up" to private healthcare firms under plans which include sharing anonymous patient data, David Cameron is due to announce.The NHS should be "opened up" to private healthcare firms under plans which include sharing anonymous patient data, David Cameron is due to announce.
He is expected to say that the "end-game" for the health service is to drive innovation and growth by working "hand-in-glove" with industry.He is expected to say that the "end-game" for the health service is to drive innovation and growth by working "hand-in-glove" with industry.
The PM wants to give patients faster access to new treatments and make the life sciences sector a world leader.The PM wants to give patients faster access to new treatments and make the life sciences sector a world leader.
But critics say commercial interests are being put ahead of patient privacy.But critics say commercial interests are being put ahead of patient privacy.
In a keynote speech in London on Monday, Mr Cameron is expected to say the coalition's key strategy is to open up the NHS to new ideas.In a keynote speech in London on Monday, Mr Cameron is expected to say the coalition's key strategy is to open up the NHS to new ideas.
'Huge magnet''Huge magnet'
"The end-game is for the NHS to be working hand-in-glove with industry as the fastest adopter of new ideas in the world," he is due to say."The end-game is for the NHS to be working hand-in-glove with industry as the fastest adopter of new ideas in the world," he is due to say.
That would act as a "huge magnet to pull new innovations through, right along the food-chain - from the labs, to the boardrooms, to the hospital bed", he will add.That would act as a "huge magnet to pull new innovations through, right along the food-chain - from the labs, to the boardrooms, to the hospital bed", he will add.
Under the plans, details of which first emerged on Sunday, NHS records would be made anonymous and data made available to private firms.Under the plans, details of which first emerged on Sunday, NHS records would be made anonymous and data made available to private firms.
Closer collaboration could also give companies more freedom to run clinical trials inside hospitals.Closer collaboration could also give companies more freedom to run clinical trials inside hospitals.
Mr Cameron is expected to announce a £180m fund to help commercialise medical breakthroughs, and also reveal plans to consult on an "early access scheme" to put new drugs in NHS hospitals more quickly.Mr Cameron is expected to announce a £180m fund to help commercialise medical breakthroughs, and also reveal plans to consult on an "early access scheme" to put new drugs in NHS hospitals more quickly.
In his speech, Mr Cameron is expected to hail the country's "great history", including DNA breakthroughs and the first test-tube baby.In his speech, Mr Cameron is expected to hail the country's "great history", including DNA breakthroughs and the first test-tube baby.
"We can be proud of our past - but we cannot be complacent about our future. The industry is changing; not just year by year, but month by month," he is due to say."We can be proud of our past - but we cannot be complacent about our future. The industry is changing; not just year by year, but month by month," he is due to say.
"Pressure on healthcare budgets in the West, emerging economies in the East, an ageing population, an explosion of knowledge - all creating a new paradigm for life sciences."Pressure on healthcare budgets in the West, emerging economies in the East, an ageing population, an explosion of knowledge - all creating a new paradigm for life sciences.
"And in this new paradigm, we must ensure that the UK stays ahead. Because yes, we've got a leading science base; yes, we've got four of the world's top 10 universities; and yes, we have a National Health Service unlike any other."And in this new paradigm, we must ensure that the UK stays ahead. Because yes, we've got a leading science base; yes, we've got four of the world's top 10 universities; and yes, we have a National Health Service unlike any other.
"But my argument today is that these strengths alone are not enough, that to keep pace with what's happening we've got to change radically - the way we innovate, the way we collaborate, the way we open up the NHS.""But my argument today is that these strengths alone are not enough, that to keep pace with what's happening we've got to change radically - the way we innovate, the way we collaborate, the way we open up the NHS."
'Essential safeguards''Essential safeguards'
Ministers believe Britain can become a world leader in the field of life sciences because of the expertise within the NHS and its strong university-based research.Ministers believe Britain can become a world leader in the field of life sciences because of the expertise within the NHS and its strong university-based research.
The industry already employs 160,000 people in 4,500 companies, with a turnover of £50bn a year.The industry already employs 160,000 people in 4,500 companies, with a turnover of £50bn a year.
But on Sunday, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Labour would not allow Mr Cameron to "throw away essential safeguards" in his desperation to develop a credible industrial strategy.But on Sunday, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Labour would not allow Mr Cameron to "throw away essential safeguards" in his desperation to develop a credible industrial strategy.
Nick Pickles, of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, said: "It is for patients, not the government, to decide what happens with their medical information.Nick Pickles, of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, said: "It is for patients, not the government, to decide what happens with their medical information.
"It appears that commercial interests are being put ahead of patient privacy and that is unacceptable.""It appears that commercial interests are being put ahead of patient privacy and that is unacceptable."
And campaign group Patient Concern said it feared the plans would be the "death of patient confidentiality".And campaign group Patient Concern said it feared the plans would be the "death of patient confidentiality".