On 20 March, the Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and the Nottingham China Health Institute (NCHI) successfully hosted the ninth session of "Let'S talk!". The event invited Professor Stephen Timmons, Professor of Health Services Management at the University of Nottingham, to discuss how to promote a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system amidst complex global health challenges.
Dr Chandra Ade Irawan, Associate Professor in Operations Management at the Nottingham University Business School China presided over the event.
In the opening speech, Professor Jing Dai, Director of CRBI, emphasised CRBI's consistent commitment to sustainable development and called on participants to work together to explore shared paths for economic development and environmental protection, promoting a sustainable future for society.
Professor Zhao Cai, Executive Director of the Nottingham China Health Institute (NCHI), extended a warm welcome to participants interested in this medical topic and introduced the basic background of the keynote speaker, Professor Stephen Timmons.
During the keynote speech, Professor Stephen Timmons highlighted the UK's National Health Service (NHS), which has been established since 1948. He pointed out that while the NHS may not be the world's best system, it has three significant advantages: efficient, cost-effective, and evidence-based. Professor Timmons then elaborated on the detailed operational mechanisms of the NHS. Under this system, patients usually telephone for an appointment. Moreover, the NHS provides free prescription services to children under 18, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, individuals over 60, and people on welfare benefits, fully demonstrating its commitment to healthcare equity.
Professor Timmons particularly noted that the NHS's most care is provided in primary care, covering chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as frail elderly care, which benefits the long-term health of the population. In terms of funding, the NHS innovatively relies entirely on taxation rather than insurance, which significantly reduces administrative costs and maximises the efficiency of fund utilisation. Regarding staff management, the NHS has built a diverse medical team, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists, and administrative staff.
Professor Timmons emphasised, "The NHS has more primary care doctors and specialised professions than most healthcare systems, while innovatively utilising health care assistants extensively." This unique staffing model not only optimises the use of high-end staff resources but also achieves the best allocation of various medical resources.
However, Professor Timmons also objectively pointed out the multiple challenges currently facing the NHS. Firstly, the increasingly severe issue of population aging in the UK is putting continuous pressure on the healthcare system; higher public expectations for the quality of care; inefficient productivity within the healthcare system; and the substantial investment required for new treatment technologies and equipment is also burdening finances.
In response to these challenges, Professor Timmons proposed systematic future improvement suggestions: the primary task is to optimise the healthcare system to reduce waiting times for primary care and hospital appointments; increased investment in diagnostic technologies, infrastructure, and information technology systems is needed to develop the healthcare services; finally, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive mechanism for recruiting and retaining medical talents to address recruitment challenges and career development issues for healthcare professionals. These measures will collectively help the NHS achieve sustainable development, thereby providing better quality medical services to the people.
During the interactive Q&A session, attendees sought solutions to the issue of reduced tax revenue due to population aging. Professor Timmons pointed out that the core of this challenge is not merely a financial issue but should focus on reforming the social care system, particularly innovations and improvements in elderly care. He emphasised that future efforts could address the multiple challenges posed by population aging through political initiatives.
In response to another question—how can the Evidence-based Decision-making System (EBDMS) be more effectively applied to medical decisions to drive the long-term development of the healthcare system? Professor Timmons shared the experiences of the NHS. He believes that establishing a scientifically effective incentive mechanism can be key to ensuring the smooth operation of the healthcare system, which not only promotes the implementation of the evidence-based decision-making system but also enhances the overall efficiency and quality of medical services.
At the end of the event, the host, Dr Chandra Ade Irawan, posed a thought-provoking question for the participants: "What do you think is the most sustainable approach for the future of the healthcare system?" A student offered a forward-looking perspective, suggesting that emerging AI technologies will play a significant role in the future of healthcare by improving medical efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, and providing robust technical support for the sustainable development of the healthcare system. This viewpoint resonated widely with the audience.
The successful hosting of this "Let'S talk!" event brought cutting-edge theoretical knowledge and practical experiences in the healthcare system to us. Through in-depth discussions on the current development of global healthcare systems, participants engaged in lively discussions, deepening their understanding of the state of healthcare systems and providing profound insights and inspiration for their future enhancement. This event also established a high-quality academic exchange platform, contributing valuable ideas to the innovation and sustainable development of healthcare systems.