News story: Matt Hancock visits China to promote co-operation on healthcare innovation

Matt Hancock in China

During his visit, he will co-host the UK-China Health Dialogue in Beijing and attend the World Economic Forum to champion the UK’s world-class life sciences sector.

The health and social care secretary will promote his vision for the UK to have the most advanced health-tech sector in the world.

In Beijing, he will meet China’s Health Minister Ma Xiaowei to discuss how the UK and China can work together to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives by harnessing the potential of technology.

The Secretary of State will also attend the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, which he is co-chairing, to highlight the shared interest around innovation in health technology. He will discuss how patients can have access to the best and most cost-effective medicines when he meets with Minister Hu Jinglin from the National Healthcare Security Administration.

Matt Hancock said:

As global leaders, the UK and China must work closely together to tackle key emerging issues in healthcare like the increasing resistance to antibiotics, the issues of an ageing population, and how we can harness the power of technology to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives.

I want the UK to have the most advanced healthcare system in the world, and this is a great opportunity to champion our world-class life sciences and health-tech sectors.

Published 17 September 2018




News story: Matt Hancock visits China to promote co-operation on healthcare innovation

During his visit, he will co-host the UK-China Health Dialogue in Beijing and attend the World Economic Forum to champion the UK’s world-class life sciences sector.

The health and social care secretary will promote his vision for the UK to have the most advanced health-tech sector in the world.

In Beijing, he will meet China’s Health Minister Ma Xiaowei to discuss how the UK and China can work together to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives by harnessing the potential of technology.

The Secretary of State will also attend the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, which he is co-chairing, to highlight the shared interest around innovation in health technology. He will discuss how patients can have access to the best and most cost-effective medicines when he meets with Minister Hu Jinglin from the National Healthcare Security Administration.

Matt Hancock said:

As global leaders, the UK and China must work closely together to tackle key emerging issues in healthcare like the increasing resistance to antibiotics, the issues of an ageing population, and how we can harness the power of technology to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives.

I want the UK to have the most advanced healthcare system in the world, and this is a great opportunity to champion our world-class life sciences and health-tech sectors.




News story: One month until UK hosts Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit

The first ever Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit will take place in London on 8 and 9 October.

Political figures, experts and policy-makers from around the world will come together at the summit with one common goal: better mental health for all.

The meeting will help countries work together to deal with stigma attached to mental health and address other issues to do with mental ill-health.

Leading voices in health and care are being asked sign a declaration committing to putting mental health on the same footing as physical health. Average global spend on mental health is just 2.8% of government health spending. In the UK that figure is around 9.5%.

Ahead of the summit, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has started a conversation about mental health. The social media campaign asks people what we need to change in how we see and treat mental health. People around the world are being invited to share their views on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TheWorldNeeds.

A number of high-profile mental health campaigners, charities and celebrity ambassadors have already lent their support to the campaign and upcoming summit. Mental health charity Time to Change is set to launch a global film at the event, featuring a Hollywood A-lister.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

It is shocking that 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental ill-health at some point in their lives and around 450 million people are currently living with a diagnosed mental ill-health condition.

For too long we have collectively failed to grasp the true magnitude of the problem. We owe it to everyone to put mental and physical health on an equal footing, to try and eradicate the apathy towards mental health once and for all. I urge policy-makers and leaders to put mental health at the front of their minds.




News story: One month until UK hosts Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit

5 people facing each other in discussion

The first ever Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit will take place in London on 9 and 10 October.

Political figures, experts by experience and policy-makers from around the world will come together at the summit with one common goal: better mental health for all.

The meeting will help countries work together to deal with stigma attached to mental health and address other issues to do with mental ill-health.

Leading voices in health and care are being asked sign a declaration committing to putting mental health on the same footing as physical health. Average global spend on mental health is just 2.8% of government health spending. In the UK that figure is around 9.5%.

Ahead of the summit, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has started a conversation about mental health. The social media campaign asks people what we need to change in how we see and treat mental health. People around the world are being invited to share their views on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TheWorldNeeds.

A number of high-profile mental health campaigners, charities and celebrity ambassadors have already lent their support to the campaign and upcoming summit. Mental health charity Time to Change is set to launch a global film at the event, featuring a Hollywood A-lister.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

It is shocking that 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental ill-health at some point in their lives and around 450 million people are currently living with a diagnosed mental ill-health condition.

For too long we have collectively failed to grasp the true magnitude of the problem. We owe it to everyone to put mental and physical health on an equal footing, to try and eradicate the apathy towards mental health once and for all. I urge policy-makers and leaders to put mental health at the front of their minds.

Published 17 September 2018
Last updated 17 September 2018 + show all updates

  1. Corrected dates of summit to 9 and 10 October.
  2. First published.



Press release: UKEF and VAMED present export opportunities at London supplier fair

UK Export Finance and the Department for International Trade are partnering with global healthcare provider VAMED to showcase export opportunities for UK companies in Zambia at a supplier fair on 4 October 2018.

Companies attending the event will find out more about opportunities to supply VAMED’s Kasama Hospital project in Zambia, which will bring much-needed healthcare provision to the northern region of Zambia and improve the lives of nearly two million local residents.

Baroness Fairhead, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, said:

The UK is at the forefront of technological innovation in healthcare, and our recently launched Export Strategy sets out how we will ensure that our world-class suppliers can thrive in a global marketplace. I am delighted that UK Export Finance and the Department for International Trade are partnering with VAMED to harness UK expertise to deliver this transformational healthcare project, improving the lives of millions of people in Zambia.

John Griffin, VAMED UK, said:

Delivering world-class healthcare depends on cooperating with the leading suppliers in the field. We are delighted to team up with UK Export Finance and the Department for International Trade on this supplier fair and look forward to meeting suppliers who share our passion for improving healthcare provisions to communities around the world.

Apart from its activities in Zambia, VAMED is successfully active in many other countries in Africa and around the globe where the company is providing first class health care facilities in South and Central America, the Middle East and Asia. This event will also provide attendees with insight on VAMED´s global activities.

In addition, UK companies will learn how UKEF, as the UK’s export credit agency, can boost UK exports by providing financing for major international healthcare projects, as well as helping companies access trade finance to fulfil their international ambitions.

VAMED is a global provider for hospitals and other facilities in the healthcare sector. To date it has delivered 850 projects in more than 80 countries.

When completed, the Kasama hospital will have a capacity of over 300 beds, including 48 for paediatric patients, and eight theatres, and will help the Zambian Government improve healthcare in rural areas and reduce its dependence on overseas treatment.

Event Details

  • Thursday 4 October 2018 08:30 – 17:30
  • St James’ Court Hotel, 54 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
  • Free to attend
  • Deadline for registration – 26 September

This event follows the recent launch of the Export Strategy, which sets out how the government will support businesses of all sizes to make the most of the opportunities presented in markets around the world.

Background

UK Export Finance

  1. UK Export Finance is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.

  2. It exists to ensure that no viable UK export should fail for want of finance or insurance from the private market. It provides finance and insurance to help exporters win, fulfil and ensure they get paid for export contracts.

  3. Sectors in which UKEF has supported exports include: aerospace, healthcare, telecommunications and transport.

  4. UKEF has a regional network of 24 export finance managers supporting export businesses. Find your local representative here.

  5. Find UKEF’s latest country cover positions.

  6. UKEF supports exporters with a range of products that include:

  • Bond insurance policy
  • Bond support scheme
  • Buyer & supplier credit financing facility
  • Direct lending facility
  • Export insurance policy
  • Export refinancing facility
  • Export working capital scheme
  • Letter of credit guarantee scheme

About VAMED

Founded in 1982, VAMED has become the leading global provider of a full line of services for hospitals and other health care facilities. The group has implemented about 850 projects in more than 80 countries on five continents. VAMED’s portfolio ranges through project development, planning and turnkey equipment, with an option for maintenance, technical, commercial and infrastructure services to total operational management of health care facilities.

With its portfolio of services, VAMED covers the entire range of health care, from health tourism and preventive medicine including medical care and nursing to aftercare and rehabilitation. VAMED is Austria’s leading private provider of rehabilitation services and, through VAMED Vitality World, the company is also Austria’s largest operator of thermal spas and health resorts.

In the year 2017 the VAMED group was responsible for more than 18,000 staff worldwide, generating a volume of business of €1.7billion.