Voice of Industry Survey 2024

At Medilink Midlands, it is our role not only to support individual members in any way we can but also to collectively inform key decision-makers on your behalf and we cannot do that without your input.

We are seeking your needs, requirements, concerns and business issues, which are potential barriers to growth or trade. These contributions gathered from our industry, academia and healthcare network will inform us of the Life Sciences and MedTech sectors.

These insights will help us shape the business support and delivery we provide to you to aid and accelerate your innovation and economic growth, alongside developing plans and programmes to strategically assist, develop and enhance our Life Science sector in the Midlands and neighbouring regions.

Through lobbying based on direct views from the 'Voice of Industry'. This is your opportunity to help formulate plans and requirements you need to grow your business and services.

Less than a year1-5 Years5-10 YearsMore than 10 Years

We'd like to explore your current and future aspirations, along with any challenges and barriers you may be facing. This is your opportuntiy to contribute to our Voice of Industry and to the future Medilink Midlands business support opportunities, plus helping to set a pathway for the regions strategic ambitions and activities.

Yes but not looking further at presentYes but would like to sell to new market countriesNo but would like to

No, not in our business plans at present

We'd love to understand more about your export achievements and aspirations - please give us a little more of your time to share here as it will help us with our future plans for MedTech Innovation Expo (MTI).

Choose one or more options.

Not of interest to us at the momentNo, but would like to discussYes, we would like to have a satellite officeYes we already have a satellite office

Sales & Marketing (office)ManufacturingTechnical support (e.g to support existing or future customers)Other

YesNoNo, but please introduce me to find out more

Hold an event or webinarFeature at Innovation DayFeature focused articles via our website, social media and newslettersReceive notifications from Medilink Midlands on potential opportunitesNot for my organisationOther

Yes - implementedYes - consideringNo, do not wish toNo, not applicable to my products/services

Yes - implementedYes - consideringNoNo, not applicable to my products/services

	Not a challenge	Minor Challenge	Challenge	Big Challenge	Major Challenge	No opinion
Availability of laboratory facilities/space
Access to facilities for prototyping
Access to first stage manufacturing for prototypes/ small-scale manufacture in region
Co-location facilities to encourage and stimulate collaboration
Favourable terms for co-location and clustering
Access to grow-on spaces
Access to physical stimulated testing facilities (e.g. virtual ward)
Cost of modifications to your premises for Net Zero
Availability of manufacturing space
Availability/affordability of business start up spaces
Access to MedTech/Digital MedTech product testing and evaluation service
Cost of undertaking Net Zero modifications to products, manufacturing or service provision
Location finder tool dedicated to Life Sciences

	Not a challenge	Minor Challenge	Challenge	Big Challenge	Major Challenge	No opinion
Availability of a diverse talent pool
Acquiring engineeering / design staff
Acquiring digital / software staff
Acquiring suitably experienced / qualified sales staff
Acquiring professional / management staff with suitable experience or qualifications
Employing / attracting non UK staff
Staff retention issue
Funding upskilling / reskilling staff
Knowledge of where to access training courses & facilities
Changes to University courses that meet sector needs
Access to funding to support skill development (e.g. grants or investment)
Managing new working practices e.g home or hybrid working
Managing & supporting staff mental health & wellbeing

	Not a challenge	Minor Challenge	Challenge	Big Challenge	Major Challenge	No opinion
Understanding the complexity of the regulatory landscape
Availability of regulatory support - funding
Availability of regulatory support - advice
Cost of the regulatory process
Understanding the range of regulations and / or changes applicable to products/services
Acquiring ISO13485
BREXIT - exporting regulatory requirements
BREXIT - importing due to regulatory issues e.g changes in CE>CA/MDD>MDR
BREXIT - importing due to Responsible Person changes
BREXIT - exporting due to Authorised Representatives changes
Process for adoption of products in the NHS and international markets e.g product registration /labelling
Process for adoption of products in international markets e.g digital/AI/5G

Access to suitable / understandable regulatory informationFunding & investment to undertake regulatory workTraining & workshops on Med RegulationsTraining & workshops on ISO13485Training & workshops for Authorised Reps / Responsible PersonsOther

	Not a challenge	Minor Challenge	Challenge	Big Challenge	Major Challenge	No opinion
Notification of potential funding
Access Growth or Capital funding
Access to product innovation / development funding
Complexity of funding applications
Uncertainty of accessing/acquiring funding
Time constraints to apply (too short) and outcome notifications (too long)
Access to VC investment
Attracting big investors to the region
Cost of implementing the net zero agenda into work practices / products etc
Bad debts, extended cash flow, late payments
Testing and evaluation funding

Grant application support e.g bid writingCommunication / signposting to current and future fundingMedilink Midlands influencing at a government level e.g funding types & availabilityTraining & events on funding e.g applicationsOther

	Not a challenge	Minor Challenge	Challenge	Big Challenge	Major Challenge	No opinion
Access to affordable innovation expertise e.g research or technical
Access to supporting services to develop innovation e.g regulatory, IP, legal
Access to collaboration / innovation support e.g Academia/Industry
Access to NHS / clinical expertise
Access to or understanding of the clinical trials process, costs & timescales
Access to Human Factors and evaluation services
Access to Technical testing and evaluation services
Capacity / ability to pivot to address emerging markets
BREXIT - importing e.g supply chain issues
Access to / availability of market information
Access to innovation ready datasets and the skills to interpret them

Thank you for helping co-produce our Medilink Midlands Voice of Industry survey.

Please share your contact details.

Yes, please get in touchNo thanksThanks, already a member!

Note: Your answers or comments will not be made public. If there is any content we would like to use and attribute, we will seek your permission first.

Voice of Industry Survey

Section 1

Section 2: Understanding your market

Section 3: Horizon Scanning

Artificial Intelligence

Net Zero

Section 4: Challenges

Space / Facilities

Skills & Employment

Regulatory

Funding

Section 5: Business Support for Innovation & Growth