IPEM responds to the 2024 Budget

IPEM Welcomes Budget Boost for Healthcare Equipment but Waits for Detail

The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) has welcomed the increased investment in significant pieces of equipment like scanners and radiotherapy machines announced in the budget.

However, it has warned that there is still an urgent need to invest in the highly trained and specialised staff to operate the machines safely, efficiently and in the best interests of patients.

Claire Sharpe, Deputy Chief Executive of IPEM, said:

“In our manifesto for the future of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, published before the election, IPEM specifically called for investment in vital life saving equipment like scanners and linear accelerators and it is great to see the Government heeding that call. Investing for the long term now is not only good for patients in terms of reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, but will also provide the NHS with the latest, cutting edge technology.

However, these machines need highly trained experts in Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering to operate and maintain them safely, effectively and efficiently.

It’s vital therefore, that the Government addresses the workforce crisis in Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering by investing in more trained MPCE staff and more training places, including wider access to apprenticeships and improving the provision of education in STEM subjects. This includes recruiting more physics teachers in schools.”

Key points from the Budget included:

£20bn of funding for government investments in research and development in engineering, biotechnology and medical science.

For the NHS

• £22.6 bn increase in the day-to-day health budget
  
• £3.1bn increase in capital budget
• £70 million funding for radiotherapy machines to improve cancer treatment

£520m for a new initiative, The Life Sciences Innovation Manufacturing Fund  which invites applications for medical technology including MedTech and diagnostics

At the same time as announcing increased investment in healthcare though, the Chancellor also pledged to protect investment in research and development and increase the budget for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).  We continue to work with the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) who have a meeting with the treasury and DSIT later today and we will pass on their insights when we have them.  You can also keep up to date via the CaSE website 

Ms Sharpe commented:

“Our members in academia and industry are at the forefront of the latest research and development, whether it is developing new techniques for treating cancer or designing and building machines to detect tumours, often embracing AI and other emerging technologies. The additional DSIT funding is an encouraging step toward ensuring the UK remains a leader in healthcare innovation. IPEM will continue collaborating across the science and engineering sectors to ensure sustained support for our field.”

New Ministers have already received a copy of IPEM’s Manifesto and we will continue to press them to address the challenges faced by the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering community.