Jawdrop FIRESIDE:

Convening industry, the NHS & academia to explore how improving trust can enhance health outcomes & the success of UK life sciences

date and time

Wednesday 25th September 2024, 3:30 – 7.30pm

VENUE

Trust is a cornerstone of effective health systems, influencing every interaction between the public and healthcare providers. This Jawdrop Fireside will explore how enhancing trust can lead to better public health outcomes and bolster the success of the UK Life Sciences sector. 

It builds on previous Jawdrop themes, such as optimising clinical trials and strengthening the UK’s resilience against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and future pandemics and aims to delve into the pivotal role of trust more broadly including around health in local communities. 

SPEAKERS

PANEL 1: Engaging Communities and Building Trust for Vaccines

Childhood vaccination rates in the UK have dipped, with no vaccines meeting the 95% target and the country seeing a re-emergence of measles, a previously eradicated illness. Globally, the picture is mixed, with rates for long standing vaccines including BCG and HepB3 falling, others remaining stable or, in the case of new vaccines, inching up.

In the UK, vaccine uptake has benefited through active public health campaigns. Yet, such progress is threatened by factors including the easy and rapid spread of online disinformation. It is also hindered by the growing mistrust in government and dissatisfaction with the NHS. Our panel consists of public health practitioners, vaccine-makers and academics, all of whom seek to build strong relationships and trust, through different channels and means.

Panelists:

• Dr Nicola Lang, Director of Public Health for H&F Council
• Dr Philip Cruz – Moderna UK, Country Medical Director
• Dr Andrew Cai, Medical Director of UK and Republic of Ireland, CSL Seqirus
• Phayza Fudlulla, BME Health Forum
• Chair: Professor Helen Ward, Professor of Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial

PANEL 2: Engaging Communities and Building Trust for Clinical Research

Clinical research is essential for advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments. The 2022/23 CRN annual statistics show research participation levels have increased on pre-pandemic levels. Almost one million participants (952,789) took part in clinical research across England. This is an increase of over 220,000 on pre-pandemic levels.

However, patient trust in clinical research can be fragile, influenced by factors such as past unethical studies, lack of transparency, and concerns about privacy and safety. In the UK, a global hub for medical research, initiatives to rebuild and enhance this trust are particularly crucial. London’s diverse population and advanced healthcare infrastructure make it an ideal setting for clinical trials, but these same factors also present unique challenges.

Panelists:

• Naima Adan, Community Engagement Officer, Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC)
• Luke Devey, BMBCh, Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Quell Tx
• Pauline Hakutangwi, Novartis UK – patient engagement representative
• Dr. Keerti Gedela, EDI Lead, CRN North West London
• CHAIR: Dr Bob Klaber, Consultant General Paediatrician and Executive Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust