Terms of reference
1The Board discussed the scope and membership of the Research, Innovation, and Growth Board. It was explained that the Board is to provide a forum to support implementation of NHS England’s contributions to relevant Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) actions. It was agreed that research and growth should be included within the Board’s remit. There was consideration on how to include innovators in the work of the Board, and the best approach to regional representation. It was agreed that different innovators/groups/organisations be invited to share perspectives at future meetings. The Board approved the Terms of Reference, subject to ongoing review.
Action: Board secretariat to ensure external perspectives are incorporated into future agendas. It was agreed that a regional Medical Director or Transformation Director should be added to the Board’s membership.
Accountabilities and delegated business from the Life Sciences Delivery Board
2. It was noted that the Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) contains 33 specific actions, with 6 actions having NHS England Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), who are responsible to ministers for delivery. It was agreed that the 6 actions NHS England are responsible for should be incorporated into the RIG Board’s work plan, alongside any of the other 33 actions where NHS England can make a material contribution. It was agreed that the Board will monitor progress of the delivery of the specific actions within its scope, helping to remove barriers and unlock interdependencies. The Board will provide assurance on delivery to the NHS England Board and the Life Sciences Delivery Board (LSDB).
Action: Board secretariat to prepare an update on RIG to go to NHS England board and to the LSDB
Feedback from MedTech Event and NHS England Board
3. The Board was updated regarding a recent European MedTech leaders Event, and heard about challenges MedTech have had in getting innovation adopted into the NHS. There was discussion about the potential for modern service frameworks (MSFs) to include a greater focus on proposing where high value med tech could be adopted to improve outcomes/reduce cost – and also on the role of NICE in evaluating med tech. The challenges in retiring older technologies were recognised with, again, a need to look the healthcare value of different products. Alignment of care delivery against MSFs should be reviewed by boards and as part of the national oversight framework.
Action: Fiona Bride to set out detailed proposals for how to support/encourage greater alignment of Med Tech into MSFs. Jonathan Benger to set out detailed proposals for how NICE could expand evaluation of med tech products.
Update on the NHS Genomics Programme
4. The Board received an update regarding the NHS Genomics Programme and its role in the delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan, the Life Sciences Sector Plan, and other policy commitments. It was explained that the number of genomic tests is anticipated to increase; from April 2026, additional cancer and rare diseases genomic testing will be undertaken, and the use of Polygenic Risk Scores (estimates of an individual’s genetic predisposition to complex diseases) will begin with cardiovascular disease. There was discussion regarding interdependencies for the NHS Genomics Programme, including Neighbourhood Health, the Federated Data Platform, and Single Patient Record.
Forward look
5. Members reflected on the positive discussions and agreed to the development of a work plan for the Board.