10.09.19
Government to invest £133m to tackle cancer, debilitating illnesses
The Government has announced £133m of investment into life-changing treatments for arthritis and cancer, as well as pioneering gene-based therapies for diseases including dementia and Parkinson’s.
New research to improvement treatment, diagnosis and care options is expected to improve the care and treatment provided to thousands of NHS patients.
Faster, more accurate diagnosis, as well as earlier interventions, will be boosted by £50m of funding set to be pumped into NHS diagnostic services and support the existing work of centres of excellence in digital pathology and imaging with artificial intelligence.
These centres – based in Leeds, Oxford, Coventry and London – will be able to partner with more NHS trusts and further develop cutting edge technology, utilising digital systems and artificial intelligence.
Adult social care will also receive a new cash injection of £7.5m to be used for research to improve care delivery to some of our society’s most vulnerable people and £14m for bioscience projects and technologies across the UK which could treat conditions such as osteoarthritis and develop new vaccines.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We’ve got to bring NHS technology into the 21st century.
“I’ve seen for myself how better technology and diagnosis can save clinicians’ time so they can concentrate on care. The NHS is now spearheading world-leading technologies that can transform and save lives through new treatments, diagnosis techniques and care.
“I’m determined that the benefits of these advances will improve the lives of thousands of patients whose conditions have long been considered life-limiting.
“Combined with this new funding, none of this would be possible without the long-term plan, backed by an extra £33.9 billion a year for the NHS.”
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Business secretary Andrea Leadsom added: “Chronic and painful illnesses like arthritis and Parkinson’s are dreadful and prevent people from living a full life.
“Curing these kinds of debilitating illnesses is one of the great challenges we face globally, and today’s commitment will play a vital role in ensuring that our scientists and thinkers have the tools they need to find new treatments that will support people to lead longer, healthier lives.”