Harley St landlords hatch bold plans
Harley Street Health District’s major landlord, Howard de Walden, is set to host its biennial Healthcare Conference on 31 October at the Royal Society of Medicine.
The event will gather leading experts, innovators and policymakers to explore the theme of advancing healthcare through technology and innovation, exploring the challenges and opportunities.
Howard de Walden’s chief executive Mark Kildea speaks to Independent Practitioner Today about why the conference is so relevant in today’s increasingly tech-focused healthcare environment.
This is the third conference we have organised to address key challenges and developments in healthcare, and we are excited to be focusing on health technology and innovation.
With clear challenges such as a shortage of healthcare workers, both in independent practices and the public sector, technology is becoming increasingly essential.
Despite the incredible potential that innovation brings, it is no secret that the adoption of innovation in healthcare can sometimes be painfully slow and this is a key issue we aim to discuss.
Harley Street Health District is the perfect backdrop for this discussion. We are in a very fortunate position being close to large hospitals, both public and private.
The area is uniquely situated, with proximity to major NHS trusts, leading academic institutions and the life sciences-focused Knowledge Quarter at King’s Cross.
Rich environment
Its location means Harley Street offers a rich environment for innovation, helping to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare and the digital future.
Technology is being harnessed in remarkable ways, in healthcare and beyond. This conference is particularly relevant for those wishing to stay ahead of the curve and learning how innovation and technology are set to shape the future of healthcare.
We will in particular be exploring the obstacles to innovation adoption, ways of overcoming these barriers and how innovation can be embedded into healthcare businesses to improve the patient journey.
The theme of this year’s conference reflects the significant shift we are seeing towards preventative care and remote monitoring of patients. But it is important to remember the focus is not solely on technology.
Healthcare will always need a human touch. The real challenge is integrating new technologies successfully into existing clinical settings.
What we believe is that Harley Street offers a unique environment where innovators can trial their products in both clinical and remote settings, ensuring their solutions work effectively in real-world scenarios.
Clinicians here can collaborate with innovators, offer feedback, and even invest in new but proven solutions, creating a dynamic cycle of improvement and innovation.
Active role
We could easily be just another landlord focused on managing buildings and property, but our approach goes far beyond that. We are increasingly focused on understanding the clinicians who occupy these buildings, their business models and what success looks like for them.
And we take an active role in supporting these businesses, by collaborating and curating talks, exhibitions and events.
Our goal is to provide the right environment for collaboration and, by bringing together the best and brightest, our ambition is to make this cluster the most connected health community worldwide.
We are also working to create a hub for health tech entrepreneurs and innovators on our estate.
This conference will highlight not only the opportunities within the area but also emphasise our commitment to helping our community make those valuable connections, which are so important for driving progress and collaboration in healthcare.
We want people to see that if they’re looking for an area with excitement about healthcare innovation and are looking to be part of a dynamic environment, Marylebone is that place.
‘Whole health’
The area is evolving and we are broadening our message around healthcare. We are moving towards a more inclusive concept of health – often referred to as ‘whole health’.
This approach encompasses not just specialist hospitals and complex surgeries, but also outstanding ambulatory and outpatient facilities.
Preventative care and wellness is becoming increasingly significant as people are more proactive about achieving a healthy lifestyle, embracing physical and mental well-being, and even financial health.
We are also exploring the introduction of rehab facilities, which we have not had in the Harley Street area before. Expanding the breadth of healthcare and the range of services available is crucial to us.
This is an exciting shift as we work to integrate health innovators and new technologies with existing clinics and new healthcare operators in Harley Street. This represents a significant opportunity to enhance the services and care available in the area.
The NHS has reported the need to transition from an analogue world to a digital one. There is a certain perception that Harley Street is a place for high-priced consultants and outdated practices.
Pioneering hub
That is at odds with the reality and our vision for ‘whole health’. Our goal is to position Harley Street as a hub for pioneering healthcare, where patients can confidently seek out the best, most advanced care available, and where clinicians and businesses feel supported in their pursuit of innovation.
We are committed to making sure Harley Street healthcare is a leader in technological adoption. This means actively embracing change and integrating the most effective technologies into our facilities.
For instance, we have already introduced occupiers with state-of-the-art equipment like MRI scanners and the latest diagnostics for radiotherapy to enhance the quality of care and the best outcomes for patients.
We recognise that technology is evolving rapidly – faster than in the last 20 years – and want to ensure Harley Street keeps pace with these developments. We aim to encourage our existing hospitals and clinics to integrate new technologies, because our goal is to see them succeed in this rapidly changing landscape.
Attract global business
Our focus is on bringing together top healthcare operators who lead in health technology and the best outcomes for surgical experience. We want Harley Street to be known for these strengths. We aim to attract global businesses that fit this vision and we endeavour to help them succeed here.
Looking ahead, we envision the area will become a more integrated healthcare hub than it is today. We anticipate a shift towards more comprehensive care, including rehab and prehab services that improve surgical outcomes and emphasise preventative healthcare.
Technology in healthcare has been slower from creation to adoption compared to other sectors, but this is changing rapidly. Demand for healthcare is rising, but the number of providers is not keeping pace.
So technology will play a much bigger role in addressing this gap than it has in the past. By promoting innovation and collaboration, we aim to keep Harley Street at the forefront of healthcare excellence.
Our 2024 Healthcare Conference is an exciting opportunity for anyone eager to understand how technology is shaping the future of healthcare. If you are passionate about staying ahead in the industry, we warmly invite you to join us, learn from our excellent speakers and be part of the conversation on the future of healthcare.
For more information including registration details and a full schedule of events, visit www.hdwe.co.uk/healthcare-conference.
Mark joined The Howard de Walden Estate as finance director in July 2011 and became chief executive in September 2020. He is the member of the executive team responsible for people and sustainability.