Oxygen Strategy

Governments are often judged on their first 100 days in office - so how has Labour fared? The first 100 days of any new government are often seen as a critical period, but many question whether it’s a fair measure of long-term success.   For Sir Keir Starmer’s government it’s been a rocky start, but is this simply the typical turbulence of a new government finding its feet, or does it reveal deeper challenges?   Amidst the difficult headlines, it’s easy to overlook what Starmer and his team have delivered. From addressing doctor strikes to Lord Darzi’s comprehensive NHS review, Labour has laid a solid foundation to build upon. However, critics have questioned whether Labour was truly ready for government after spending so long in opposition. There are quiet concerns among officials that ministers may lack a fundamental understanding of how to get things done. Starmer’s ‘Mission Delivery Boards’, for example, have been questioned for adding to Whitehall bureaucracy rather than streamlining processes as intended.   The government must quickly show delivery against Starmer’s five missions to quell further disruption. With the upcoming Autumn Budget, the government will face another critical moment—an opportunity to show whether it can deliver on its economic priorities and invest in health as a growth driver, signalling confidence to UK businesses. If you or your organisation need support engaging with the new government, drop us a message ⬇️ [email protected]

An Oxygen reflection on Labour’s first conference in government for 15 years. Highlights include: - Streeting resisting calls to 'soften' his message that the NHS is letting people down, citing the 'two tier' system of NHS and private sector cancer care as an example. - Clear message that innovation will ‘come second’ until the NHS is able to fully meet its statutory duties. - Health reform will take a two-pronged approach, distinguished between public health and public service reform. - Andrew Gwynne MP (Minster for Public Health and Prevention) has been tasked with addressing the social determinants of ill health – viewing this as an economic mission above and beyond a moral one. To bolster these efforts, DHSC views other government departments as part of the health agenda, with Whitehall fervour to contribute to the Health Mission Board and the government’s 5-point Prevention Plan. - On public service reform, Streeting has stated there is no desire to undertake organisational changes to NHS England. Instead, reform will explore financial incentives to push care out of hospital and pull into the community. - With little cash to spare, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will only approve policy recommendations that are ‘genuinely’ delivering on Labour’s mission-driven agenda and show a return on investment for taxpayers. - The government is expected to launch a new ‘more specific’ Industrial Strategy for Britain shortly – focusing on key areas that directly support Labour’s new mission-led approach to governance. - Lord Vallance made it clear that this new strategy would have ‘winners and losers’ as Labour look to prioritise areas where they can make a meaningful difference. - A core function of the Regulatory Innovation Office will be to provide ‘reassurances’ to regulators to enable them to act more confidently with government backing. Notably, Lord Vallance used MHRA’s more nimble ways-of-working during the pandemic as an example of what this could look like ‘when done well’.

IPPR report echoes Labour’s calls for reform. Yesterday, Oxygen joined the launch of the IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity’s 'Our Greatest Asset' report attended by Lord Darzi and Wes Streeting. The report outlines a comprehensive plan for a 21st-century health system with ambitious goals of adding 10 years to healthy life expectancy by 2055 and halving regional health inequalities. This is undoubtedly a very exciting time for UK health policy as more becomes clear each week on Labour's plans for a 'healthier future'. Reach out to any member of the Oxygen team if you have any questions on what these policy shifts could mean for you and your public affairs strategies - [email protected] Click below for our IRIS In Sight on the IPPR report: https://lnkd.in/d5NHh76P

Lord Darzi publishes independent investigation of the NHS in England - read our IRIS In Sight policy update here - and contact us for more details to subscribe to our industry-leading policy monitoring digest to stay on top of developments, including intelligence from the Labour Party conference. https://lnkd.in/eCTYEuCg

We were very pleased to have hosted Bayer’s “Prostate Cancer Health Inequalities Expert Forum’’ last Tuesday 16th July, discussing key health inequality challenges in the UK with 11 leading experts in prostate cancer care. As many as 1 in 8 men are estimated to get prostate cancer within their lifetime in the UK. Despite affecting so many people and having such a significant impact nationwide, unwarranted variations in prostate cancer care across the health system are leading to stark differences in diagnoses, experiences, and outcomes for the men impacted by this disease. For example, black men are less likely to be tested for prostate cancer but are more likely to develop it. Moderated by Ursula Montgomery, Bayer UK’s Head of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability, along with Oxygen Strategy, the Forum explored the key factors that drive health inequalities in prostate cancer and discussed what solutions could be implemented to bring meaningful improvements in prostate cancer care in the near term. The group discussion focused on five key areas with potential solutions, including: ✔️ Diagnosis and screening – remove barriers to targeted PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing ✔️ Access to treatment – bring care closer to patients and supporting patients ‘get to care’ ✔️ Patient pathways – streamline the patient pathway and introduce ‘one stop’ shops for prostate cancer patients ✔️ Patient experience – introduce patient navigators that reflect the communities they are seeking to engage ✔️ National prostate cancer policy – develop a dedicated cancer strategy We would like to thank all the Forum participants and speakers Oliver Kemp, Prostate Cancer Research, and Professor Frank Chinegwundoh MBE, who represented key stakeholders across different specialties in prostate cancer care, ranging from urology and radiology to primary care and patient organisations. Bayer believes that addressing these health inequalities is of the utmost importance to improve care and the lives of prostate cancer patients and by collaborating with all parties in the prostate cancer care community we can find system-wide solutions together. As a next step, we will be developing a series of tangible policy recommendations for the new Government to consider implementing. We look forward to continuing to work on this important issue through 2024/25. Stay tuned for more updates! #MensHealth #HealthInequalities #AddressingHealthInequalities #ProstateCancerCare #ImprovingProstateCancerCare #BayerUKI

Free guide offer for pharma PA managers - 'Navigating the First 100 Days of a New Government' - contact us today for more details!

The imminent general election is set to mark a significant shift in the UK’s political landscape, signalling an almost inevitable conclusion to over 14 years of Conservative Party leadership. Current polling now predicts a strong Labour majority—a change that will undoubtedly have an enormous impact on the direction of national health policy. Written by Jake Pond, associate director at Oxygen Strategy. https://lnkd.in/edkA4eCs #GeneralElection #GennyLec #LabourParty #Conservatives #Polls #GE2024 #GE24 #HealthPolicy

Tory manifesto published! Read our summary of life sciences and healthcare commitments here! https://lnkd.in/exemj5mU

In just six weeks' time the British public will be going to the polls - likely resulting in a shakeup of familiar faces in Parliament and the government. If you want to know how this impacts your organisation, or how to utilise the election excitement to your advantage, reach out to our team. [email protected]

This Friday our Managing Director, Henry Burkitt, will be discussing how the life science sector can play a role in reducing health inequalities, at the Life Science Access Academy’s Masterclass. Addressing health inequalities is not just a major UK policy priority, it's a huge commercial opportunity for brand teams and BUs. Sign-up below to learn about why reducing health inequalities is a 'win-win' for the NHS and industry. https://lnkd.in/ePnDgZwz