The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has released its first-ever medical technology (medtech) strategy, aimed at providing patients with access to innovative, safe, and effective equipment and medical devices. The strategy focuses on accelerating access to technology and improving the quality of care offered by the NHS.
The NHS spends approximately £10 billion per year on medtech, including medical imaging equipment, cardiac pacemakers, syringes, and wheelchairs. The new strategy aims to deliver better value for money by using data on the effectiveness of new technology to ensure prices are reasonable for the health system. The strategy also seeks to build resilient supply chains, prepare the UK for future pandemics, and support faster diagnosis and improved treatment of patients.
The strategy is based on learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid development of medical technologies during this time, such as lateral flow tests and ventilators. By ensuring the right product is available at the right price and in the right place, patients will continue to receive high-quality care while benefiting from improved patient safety and health outcomes.
The key objectives of the medtech strategy include boosting the supply of the best equipment, encouraging innovative research, increasing understanding and awareness of medtech, and improving collaboration between the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. An implementation plan, including a review of the £1 billion spent on appliances in primary care, new comparison tools, and collaboration with the industry will be published later this year.
Minister of State for Health Will Quince said, “The UK’s innovative spirit delivered revolutionary technology during the pandemic, and we want to harness this in promoting cutting-edge medical advancements to improve patient care.”
Dr Timothy Ferris, National Director for Transformation at NHS England, said, “Medical technology has an enormous role to play in benefiting patients now and in the future. The importance of medtech was made clear during the Covid-19 pandemic and as the NHS moves through its recovery, it will play a key role in addressing the challenges we face.”
Dr Sam Roberts of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said, “It is essential that clinicians and patients can access the most impactful and cost-effective medical technologies, while medtech companies need to be confident that they are developing products which meet the needs of patients and the NHS. This strategy sets out a clear vision for the future.”
Peter Ellingworth of the Association of British HealthTech Industries welcomed the new strategy, saying, “HealthTech plays a valuable role in enabling improved outcomes through changing patient pathways as well as productivity and efficiency gains.”
The new medtech strategy follows the government’s priority to cut NHS waiting times, backed by up to £14.1 billion of health and social care funding available for the next two years. The strategy is expected to support the Life Sciences Vision by creating an outstanding business environment for healthtech companies and delivering exceptional care for people in the UK.
The use of medtech is crucial in reducing waiting lists for treatment caused by the pandemic. For example, the importance of fast and accurate diagnostic testing and genome sequencing was demonstrated during the pandemic, and home lateral flow testing showed the potential for increased use of diagnostics outside of formal clinical settings to support earlier diagnosis and free up staff time.
By providing access to safe, effective, and innovative medical technologies, the new medtech strategy will help to build a sustainable NHS with patients at the center. Patients will benefit from faster diagnosis, improved treatment, and increased opportunities to manage their own health at home.
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