Matching the healthcare needs of growing, ageing populations with the right supply of trained health professionals is a challenge for both the UK and China.

The emphasis on collaboration and healthcare professional training has allowed the UK to become a global expert in managing the shifting needs in healthcare. This has created a demand to educate and train other countries.

UK expertise in healthcare

The UK’s system of healthcare education and training, especially in the NHS, ensures that healthcare professionals continually develop their skills.

In addition to this, the UK is especially adept at forging collaborations between public and private sector, academia and charities. This allows healthcare organisations to gain new skills and insight at a rapid pace.

This expertise has led to an extensive network of UK healthcare education and training providers who are ready to export their knowledge, skills and experience.

Healthcare UK has been reaching out to these businesses and organisations, encouraging their export programmes and advising them where the greatest demand for their services lies.

There is a strong demand for education and training in China as the country looks to improve its healthcare services to an international standard, making them more able to cope with a growing and aging population.

Meeting the demand for healthcare

As evidence of and to help meet this demand, Healthcare UK recently prepared a mission to bring UK healthcare exporters to China. The mission was supported by the:

13 UK companies representing the best of NHS trusts, universities and private organisations introduced themselves and presented their healthcare education and training offer. These organisations included Alder Hey, Tavistock and Portman NHS trusts and London South Bank and West of Scotland Universities.

More than 250 representatives from Chinese government bodies, medical associations, and private and public hospitals in Beijing, Guangzhou and the surrounding regions met with these companies over the course of the mission..

Some companies also had more in-depth discussions with a range of Chinese representatives, including those from the Beijing Huatong Guokang Foundation (BHGF). This is a charity that supports Chinese organisations to organise overseas training ranging from a few weeks to a few months.

Healthcare UK signed an MOU with BHGF. Indeed, the NHS in particular is known in China as a global leader in healthcare expertise and patient safety, and the opportunities for NHS trusts to work with organisations in the region are excellent.

More opportunities for UK healthcare suppliers

There has never been a better time to do business between our 2 countries – this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and China.

China’s Healthy China 2030 plan that aims to reform the country’s medical and health systems also delivers an increased demand for healthcare expertise in various areas.

The strong UK presence in the global healthcare education and training sector means opportunities for UK businesses to flourish in China, a trend we expect to see continuing in future years.

Parcels of seized narcotics lay on the deck of the smuggling vessel. Crown copyright.

Staff at the agency will take part in a wide range of fundraising events and activities throughout the coming year to raise money for the charity, which supports anyone in the Swansea and surrounding South Wales area affected by cancer.

Last year, DVLA handed over a cheque for over £50,000 to the charity Mind after a year packed full of fundraising efforts by its staff.

Fundraising activity in the previous year included members of staff skydiving, cycling from Paris to Swansea, taking part in a national ‘3 peaks challenge’ and a team from DVLA entering the JCP Swansea Half Marathon. A ‘Music for Mind concert’ held by DVLA saw the staff choir performing show-stopping songs. Through the course of the year, staff also ran raffles, sweepstakes and cake sales, with every opportunity raising funds for the good cause.

On hearing the news Lucia Osmond, Centre Fundraising Manager for Maggie’s Swansea, said:

The team at Maggie’s Swansea is delighted to be DVLA’s Charity of choice in 2018. As a local service we rely solely on the kindness and efforts of our supporters, so the funds raised in 2018 by the staff at DVLA will make a significant impact on the work we can continue to do for our service users in the local area.

Maggie’s Swansea has worked with DVLA for some time, providing health awareness sessions and have supported many employees at Maggie’s. So to have this official partnership is very exciting and we look forward to working with DVLA in the year to come.

Oliver Morley, DVLA Chief Executive added:

I’m immensely grateful to all our staff who really do rise to the challenge and give so much of their own time to raise thousands of pounds for our nominated charities. Together, with Maggie’s Swansea we can make a huge difference and I’m delighted that we’ll be working to support this terrific cause in 2018.