Why do diagnostics matter?
Think tank: The King’s Fund
Author(s): Charlotte Wickens
October 13, 2022
This report from UK think tank the King’s Fund looks at maximising the potential of diagnostics services.
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the role that diagnostics play in disease detection, prevention and management. Policy-makers have also singled out diagnostics for greater focus in recent years, particularly given their pivotal role in supporting system recovery from the pandemic, including reducing waiting times for hospital treatment and earlier cancer diagnosis. This spotlight has revealed the scope for innovation through the introduction of new technologies, widening access and changes to patient pathways. This briefing explores the role that diagnostics play in underpinning much of the activity that takes place in the health and care system, the policy focus to date and where attention is needed to ensure diagnostic capacity and capability are fit for the future.
