How Humanity Stays Relevant: Lessons about Healthcare’s AI Adoption
Despite clear optimism about AI and automation in health, this comes with a caveat. The promise of transforming healthcare had a level of cautious optimism, but with a lingering question that recurs in different guises: what do we not want AI to do? While at SXSW London last week the tools our health team saw on display […]
Between Paralysis and Progress: Policymaking for NHS reform
It’s not hyperbole to say the UK’s health system is sitting at a watershed moment. After years of strain, a sense of urgency surrounds NHS reform. Yet, this urgency is accompanied by an almost paralysing policy complexity. Our recent conversations with NHS leaders and policymakers have laid bare the central challenge everything needs to change, […]
The 78th World Health Assembly: A moment of uncertainty and opportunity for global health
Analysis from Portland’s Global Health experts The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) unfolded amid profound uncertainty and transformation in global health. With geopolitical shifts, financial pressures, and evolving disease threats converging, this Assembly tested the resilience of global cooperation and set a course for a more integrated, accountable health system. Held under the timely theme […]
‘Most-Favored-Nation’ drug pricing: Trump demands Europeans pay more and Americans pay less
Today (12 May), the White House reignited a global debate on drug pricing as President Donald Trump announced his “Most Favoured Nation” (MFN) drug pricing policy. The proposal as it stands would ensure Americans pay no more for certain prescription medicines than the lowest price paid in any developed country – a move that some […]
The public might be starting to see signs of improvement in the NHS – and want reform
It’s a little over 300 days since a hot July morning saw Keir Starmer walk into No. 10 and Wes Streeting take the reins at the Department of Health and Social Care. Labour’s headline health mission – to “build an NHS fit for the future that is there when people need it” – came at […]
Can the UK truly keep pace with AI in health?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic vision – it is actively transforming healthcare today. From tackling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis to delivering personalised cancer vaccines, there was a strong sense of optimism at WIRED Health 2025 about AI’s potential to address the greatest healthcare challenges. Former Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, […]
Portland Analysis: Taking back control
‘World’s largest quango scrapped’ – that was how the Government sought to spin today’s surprise news that NHS England would be rolled up, with 10,000 redundancies and a massive centralisation of power. Coupled with integrated care boards being forced to halve in size, it’s a change which will upend how and who clients working […]
An NHS Challenge for Pharma: Driving Innovation Beyond Medicines
At the FT Global Pharma and Biotech Summit 2024, NHS Director of Value and Access, Fiona Bride, invited industry to see innovation as more than just medicine alone. She emphasised the need for a holistic approach, where pharmaceutical companies have an opportunity to partner with the NHS across the entire patient journey, particularly as it […]
The Darzi Report diagnoses the NHS, opening the door for long-term solutions
The publication of the Darzi report yesterday has set the stage for Labour to pitch its solutions to the public on how they are planning to cure a chronically struggling health service. Alongside the damage caused by Covid, the report asserts that the crisis has been driven by austerity and a lack of capital investment, […]
Draghi’s Prescription for a Healthier European Pharmaceutical Sector
Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s recent report on EU competitiveness offers a potential lifeline for the European pharmaceutical sector. While acknowledging the sector’s strengths, Draghi identifies a growing competitiveness gap with the US, particularly in biologics, orphan drugs, and advanced therapies. What’s ailing EU pharma? Draghi points to four key issues: Draghi’s recommendations present a roadmap for […]