Roche Diagnostics is a key supplier to the National Health Service (NHS) and a leader in in vitro diagnostics. It develops innovative products and services for the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, screening, and treatment of diseases.
The business has built a Social Value programme aimed at improving key social determinants of health, like inequality, education, and addressing the net zero ambitions of the NHS.
This contributes to healthier, more resilient communities while also directly reducing reliance on healthcare intervention, alleviating the growing pressure on the NHS.
Let’s see how Roche Diagnostics’ Social Value mission is achieving these goals with the help of the Social Value Portal team.
Social Value at Roche Diagnostics
At the core of Roche Diagnostics’ Social Value strategy are three pivotal areas: safeguarding the environment, fostering community well-being, and promoting social mobility—each closely aligned with the NHS's own sustainability and equity goals.
With contracts spanning 5 to 10+ years, Roche Diagnostics is uniquely positioned to drive generational change through its Social Value initiatives.
This doesn’t just apply to Roche Diagnostics’ own direct contract delivery. As a main contractor on numerous NHS contracts, the business is equally focused on aligning the extended supply chain behind Social Value objectives that will bolster the health system.
As NHS suppliers, we have an opportunity to create a positive impact that truly changes lives. Throughout a ten-year contract, local children will go from age eight to 18—the Social Value initiatives we deliver in that time could change the trajectory of their lives.
Gerard Harkin, Head of Social Value UK and Ireland at Roche Diagnostics
This Health Foundation video explains how social, economic and environmental factors impact the health and wellbeing of entire communities
Crafting a comprehensive Social Value Strategy
In collaboration with Social Value Portal’s Consulting team, Roche Diagnostics has developed a multifaceted strategy to make Social Value core to the organisation. Here are some of the key steps:
- Vision and culture: Making Social Value a strategic priority and actively engaging employees in initiatives.
- Governance and delivery: Establishing clear ownership and accountability for Social Value, embedding it in the company’s culture, employee journey, and incentives.
- Levers and enabling activity: New programs and networks to support key Social Value objectives.
- Supply chain: Embedding Social Value in procurement, from conducting a supplier spend analysis to encouraging suppliers to transition to low-emission vehicles (LEVs).
- Data and reporting: Standardising data capture – and becoming the first UK healthcare company to publish a third-party validated Social Value report.
- Public sector work: Refreshing its bid management processes so bid teams can win competitive public sector tenders.
Our collaboration with the Social Value Portal's Consulting team has been transformative, guiding us to integrate Social Value at the heart of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland. Their expertise has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive strategy that aligns with our vision and empowers our employees to participate actively in meaningful initiatives. Their support has paved the way for us to become pioneers in embedding social value within the healthcare sector. This partnership has catalysed change, enabling us to set new standards and lead by example in creating lasting, positive impacts in our communities.
Chris Georgiou, Head of Commercial Bids & Proposals, Roche Diagnostics
Leveraging Local Needs Analysis for targeted impact
Roche Diagnostics wants to ensure that its Social Value initiatives target the biggest priorities for local people, for maximum impact. Our Local Needs Analysis (LNA) tool has helped Roche Diagnostics to understand and address these specific challenges.
For example, when working with Barts Health NHS Trust, the business conducted an LNA for Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Lewisham and Greenwich, using the Indices of Multiples Deprivation.
It uncovered numerous local challenges, such as:
- A lack of employment pathways and training opportunities – especially for those that are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), long-term unemployed, from ethnic minority groups, or living with disabilities
- Gender pay disparities and low pay in general
- A lack of commercial opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)
- A need for mental and physical health interventions
- High levels of waste, air pollution, and threats to biodiversity
Deprivation in Greenwich, Hackey, Lewisham, and Tower Hamlets
The findings steered Roche Diagnostics toward a series of targeted activities, including:
- Hiring local talent to support community employment
- Mentoring, and hosting STEM events to inspire and educate local students
- Advertising for apprenticeships to create pathways for young people
- Donating laptops to schools to address digital inequality
- Taking active steps to reduce CO2 emissions and environmental impact
Taking a data-driven and needs-based approach deepened Roche’s relationship with Barts Health NHS Trust while also creating a huge positive impact on the local community.
How Roche Diagnostics measures its Social Value
Roche Diagnostics’ dedication has paid off, with £9.2 million of Social Value delivered in 2023.
Measured using the Social Value TOM System™, this figure is a financial equivalent – but it represents tangible, lasting change for communities, the planet, and society.
Here are a few of the standout achievements which underpinning the number:
- 2,146,213 car miles driven using low or no emission vehicles
- 268 weeks of apprenticeships at Level 2, 3, and 4+
- 709 employees received access to multidimensional wellbeing programmes
- 167 hours of volunteering contributed to local community projects
- 71 hours of environmental volunteering devoted to conservation/ecosystem management
- 188 staff hours spent engaging with local schools and colleges.
- 254 hours of voluntary work and £20,000 worth of equipment to VCSEs
- 247 local employees (FTE) hired or retained
- 54% of leadership positions on contracts filled by women
It's been fantastic to work in partnership with Roche Diagnostics to develop their Net Zero & Social Value Strategy. The business is going above and beyond to create innovative solutions to tackle real socioeconomic and environmental challenges in the UK. They’ve embraced this movement and propelled their agenda by creating a number of new initiatives and partnerships. As a member of their Steering Group, I’m excited to see Roche exemplify the impact that strategic suppliers to the public sector can generate here in the UK.
Kate Clarfelt, Senior Consultant, Social Value Portal
Social Value spotlights at Roche Diagnostics
The diagnostics leader has established several key partnerships and programmes to support their goals of protecting the environment, fostering thriving communities, and promoting social mobility.
Let’s look at some especially impactful examples:
Reducing plastic waste in healthcare
Roche Diagnostics partnered with NHS Wales and a plastics recycling company on a first-of-its-kind UK pilot scheme to reduce the levels of plastic waste in healthcare, starting with the pathology department at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in Wales.
We are delighted that our clinical biochemistry service at Prince Charles Hospital are the first laboratory in the UK to recycle their healthcare plastic waste with Roche and TerraCycle. Our biomedical scientists and laboratory assistants have changed practice and are committed to our sustainability strategic goals.
Mark Henry, Biochemistry, PoCT and Immunology Service Manager, NHS Wales
Inspiring STEM talent with IntoUniversity
IntoUniversity gives young people from disadvantaged backgrounds access to local learning centres, mentoring, and educational support. In 2023, Roche Diagnostics staff delivered interactive STEM sessions for 37 students across two IntoUniversity sites.
With Roche’s support, we’ve been able to elevate our offering to our students, exemplified by inspiring career workshops held across our network of centres.
Krysia Kubinsky, Regional Operations Manager, IntoUniversity
Driving green transport forward
Roche Diagnostics’ programme to encourage sustainable transport and low/no emission vehicles has been a resounding success, with staff driving over two million miles in eco-friendly vehicles.
A call to action for the UK healthcare sector
Roche Diagnostics is leading the charge in embedding Social Value into UK healthcare, creating a blueprint for others to follow. And they’re encouraging other healthcare organisations to strengthen their Social Value impact and collectively build a healthier, more equitable future:
The Social Value we deliver as part of our NHS contracts positively impacts the environment, and delivers measurable benefits for local economies and communities. Across the healthcare industry we have so many opportunities to direct our Social Value activities in a way which addresses the clearly defined key priorities of local healthcare systems. From reducing carbon to addressing health inequalities and targeting areas of deprivation, our actions are purpose - designed to contribute to a greener, more equitable, and prosperous future.
Geoff Twist, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Roche Diagnostics
Join the movement
If you’re ready to unlock your organisation’s full Social Value potential, get in touch today and let’s start exploring your path to driving real, measurable change.
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