The growth of the UK’s Life Science sector isn’t just good news for healthcare and medical businesses, it’s pulling in skills from many other vertical markets including interiors, furniture, building, construction, architecture, professional services, manufacturing, digital technologies, ITC and retail. 
 

Technological advances within the healthcare sector and an ageing population, as well as lifestyle choices and the need for public sector efficiency savings are all creating a huge market for consumer healthcare products, not just in the UK, but within the Chinese and BRIC markets too. And this consumer market suddenly brings the medical sector face to face with the retail, financial and building sectors, among others.
 

For example, there is an opportunity for the finance and banking sector to offer insurance products to safeguard consumers against costs in later life for personal care.  For the building, construction and architectural markets we need future housing to accommodate the requirement for adaptable living spaces as people live longer, but still want to maintain their independence in their own home. 
 

In digital technologies the healthcare sector is switched on to the use of simulation as a method of delivering clinical training and the improved delivery of healthcare products and services, saving time and money. Not only that, but as virtual reality improves, it means surgeons and clinicians can get much needed practice before they operate on actual patients.
 

As consumers are increasingly able to purchase consumer healthcare devices and kits off the shelf in high street retailers and through international e-tailers without medical support, training or supervision, the legal sector needs to counsel healthcare businesses and retailers on the legal ramifications of product failure or misuse. 
 

Numerous businesses can diversify into the Life Sciences market and possibly attract a new customer base due to the vast commercial opportunities. At MedilinkWM, we’re trying to help businesses from across all sectors to target the Life Sciences market and as a result, have created the ‘Heads up’ series of events in 2011.

My message to UK businesses is simply that the Life Science market is hungry for more – it’s crying out for the specialist skills that you and your business can offer.