Doris-Ann Williams, Chief Executive of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), has commented on the economic announcements in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Summer Economic Update.
Looking at the measures announced to support job creation, Doris-Ann said; “We welcome the measures announced to support young people and school leavers into work, with 700,000 leaving education this year. We would strongly encourage the Department of Education, schools and colleges to examine the opportunities in the life sciences and in vitro diagnostics sector, and for the Kickstart scheme and expanded trainee places to apply in our industry. We stand ready to play our part in training the next generation in high-skilled jobs of the future.”
However, Doris-Ann also warned of missing elements in the Chancellor’s speech. “As we look towards the Autumn Statement and Budget, the Chancellor must be aware of the importance of supporting the NHS as we look to restart the economy. Countless working-age people are currently living with undiagnosed conditions since March this year. It is critical that IVD capacity in the NHS is scaled up at pace to ensure that these people can be diagnosed and treated promptly.
“A wave of illness caused by the lack of routine testing and hospital services would not just be a disaster for the recovering economy, it would mean thousands of avoidable personal tragedies for those living with illness that could have been diagnosed earlier. We will be contacting ministers over the coming days to make the case for a spotlight to be turned on IVDs – to help our members support our economic recovery and ensure that patients can benefit from timely diagnosis by the NHS and get the treatment they need as soon as possible.”