Health secretary Sajid Javid visits Cambridge Biomedical Campus on ‘Road to Recovery’ tour
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid heard about how collaboration between academia, industry and the NHS is “changing the face of disease” during a visit to Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Mr Javid visited the campus as part of a tour of the East of England to see the work being carried out by health and social care staff.
While in the region on Monday (February 14), he met with healthcare staff and local residents to outline his reform agenda for a more joined-up NHS and adult social care sector to better serve staff and patients in the region, and to aid Covid-19 recovery.
The visits were part of a week-long national ‘Road to Recovery’ tour focusing on Covid-19 recovery, tackling the backlog of people waiting for treatment, social care reform, integration and reducing health inequalities.
Mr Javid ended Monday’s tour at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where the health minister sat down with representatives from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and leading scientists from industry and the University of Cambridge, including cancer and genetics experts, to hear about advances in cutting edge research and treatments.
Patrick Maxwell, Regius Professor of Physic and head of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of Cambridge, said: “We had an incredibly useful session with the secretary of state demonstrating how academia, industry and the NHS across Cambridge are working together to change the face of disease not just in our region but across the UK.
“The focus of the visit was improving lives and outcomes in cancer, paediatrics, metabolic and respiratory diseases through our innovations in genomics, data science and AI, and discussing how our collaborations are already making a difference to so many people.”
Mr Javid said: “It’s been incredible to see first-hand the astonishing work being carried out by health and social care staff across the East of England, and I’ve enjoyed speaking to local residents and hearing what they would like from our healthcare services as we recover from Covid-19.
“As we continue on the road to recovery, I want to thank everyone... who’ve shared their thoughts and experiences with me and who have given me the opportunity to talk about my mission to reform services so they better serve their needs.
“We know integrated care can help boost recovery times, reduce waiting lists and level up the health of the nation and I was proud to see local services working together in the East of England to achieve this.”
The health secretary’s visit comes after the publication last week of the government’s new Integration White Paper, setting out plans to bring the NHS and local government closer together to improve care for all and ensure greater value for money.
It will mean people receiving the right support in the right place at the right time and follows the publication of a 10-year vision to reform adult social care, backed by an extra £5.4billion.
