Where to start? from The editor [

elcome to the first edition of Med-Tech Innovation News of 2023. As this is landing on your desks in February, I’ll not wish you Happy New Year – it has gone beyond the second week of January, and I think it’s fair to say we are all out of that habit now.

There are many things I could write about in my first editor’s letter since the end of October/ start of November. The current crisis in the NHS, challenging economic conditions for the sector and the hotspots that there are in the regions and nations of the United Kingdom.

But as I pen this I am travelling back from Dubai after attending the first of many shows this year and Arab Health was nothing short of heaving. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had bruises on the top of my feet at a trade show such was the volume of people in the World Trade Centre – particularly across the first three days.

It was the perfect illustration of the appetite there is for great innovation and technology across the world. The UK’s innovation and manufacturing capabilities were noticeable too – thanks largely because of the presence of ABHI, Medilink and the Department for International Trade – as many UK companies showcased their offering to distributors and buyers in the Middle East. So vast is the potential of companies from the British Isles, it attracted those from politics as parliamentary under secretary of state (minister for exports) Andrew Bowie cut the ribbon to open the ABHI’s UK Pavilion.

The governing party weren’t the only ones to send out political representation. Also on show were the Midlands explaining why it is such a hub for medtech, and the mayor of West Yorkshire Tracey Brabin also made an appearance as the region aimed to illustrate its prowess in life sciences and healthcare developments. Though they’re not the only two regions that are really pushing their cause, it will be interesting to see how these two particular potential hubs for the sector will fair over the course of the year and beyond. With a general election approaching in 2024, devolution and the economy could well be two electoral issues – so promises of powers for these areas, how they are performing and incentives for the sector will make for interesting viewing.

Though the UK is on course for being the G7 nation with the lowest economic growth – life sciences and medical technology seem to be the leading lights in a difficult time for the UK generally.

Indeed, if you see any economist – or indeed someone in the political arena – pop up on a rolling news channel, they’re more likely than not to highlight life sciences as an area where the UK can develop to be a world leader.

As this issue will show with one particular piece, the UK doesn’t have to look very far when it comes to establishing a successful medtech ecosystem – maybe there are one or two things they can learn from their Irish cousins.

I’m interested to see if 2023 is when medical technology bucks the trend of turbulent economic headwinds we currently face.