Biomedical Scientists Benefit NHS Up to £571M in Bowel Cancer Care

A new Oxera report has found that the NHS benefits by up to £571 million annually in bowel cancer care alone thanks to biomedical scientists, active in 95% of patient pathways

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is announcing the findings of an independent report showing that the presence of biomedical scientists in the bowel cancer patient pathway benefits the NHS by an estimated £115 million to £571 million per year. This amount is equivalent to the annual salaries of between 1,700 and 8,500 specialist doctors or between 3,400 and 17,000 nurses annually.

The report, commissioned from Oxera, highlights the significant contributions of biomedical scientists in the bowel cancer patient pathway, including towards patient health and efficiency of care.

The findings demonstrate how biomedical scientists’ expertise and efforts significantly reduce cancer patient costs and save lives that may otherwise be lost due to late-stage cancer detection by ensuring patients receive care at the earliest point in their patient journeys.

IBMS Chief Executive David Wells comments:

“The Oxera Report highlights the immense value biomedical scientists bring to the NHS, saving up to £571 million annually in the bowel cancer patient pathway alone. Its findings demonstrate the need for wider recognition from government of the contribution of the biomedical scientist workforce.

“We are excited to work collaboratively with stakeholders to support the development of a sustainable pipeline of talent within the sector which can help relieve NHS backlogs, reduce costs and improve patient outcomes.”

The report also found that:

Around 95% of clinical pathways rely on pathology services, where biomedical scientists play a crucial role.

The work of biomedical scientists resulted in between 2,400 and 5,600 additional quality-adjusted life years for each annual cohort of patients who receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in the initial testing stage for bowel cancer.

Annually, biomedical scientists are estimated to contribute between £9,100 & £21,400 per cancer patient.

The IBMS is highlighting the Oxera Report on Biomedical Science Day – held on Thursday, 6th June 2024. This year’s theme is the crucial contributions of biomedical scientists.

Biomedical Science Day is the largest annual celebration of biomedical scientists and laboratory staff in the UK. Hundreds of NHS hospitals and private healthcare laboratories across the country will be hosting events to raise awareness of the vital work carried out by these professionals. Follow the events on social media using the hashtags #BiomedicalScienceDay2024 and #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare.

IBMS President Joanna Andrew comments:

“Biomedical Science Day is an opportunity to showcase the critical role our members play in healthcare – providing high-quality outcomes for 95% of all patient pathways.

“As part of this year’s celebrations, I am proud to announce the findings from the Oxera report that shows the economic value of biomedical scientists. We now know that each year their work benefits in up to 5,600 additional quality adjusted life years for bowel cancer patients.”

About Biomedical Science Day and the IBMS

Biomedical Science Day is an annual awareness day hosted by the IBMS. It aims to inform the public and empower patients by explaining key practices in biomedical science and celebrating a profession that is #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare.

The IBMS, with over 21,000 members in 74 countries, is the leading professional body for scientists, support staff, and students in the field of biomedical science. For over 100 years, the IBMS has been dedicated to promoting, developing, and delivering excellence in biomedical science within all aspects of healthcare, ensuring the highest standards of service to patients and the public.