NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have unveiled a new pathway for medical technology developers to access NHS funding and fast-track innovative products into the healthcare system.
The goal of the proposed plans is to facilitate the introduction of more clinically and cost-effective products recommended by NICE on a wider scale within the NHS, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
This initiative also aims to provide MedTech innovators and suppliers with greater certainty by committing to automatic funding for technologies meeting specified criteria, supporting routine commissioning.
Feedback on these proposals is being actively sought from stakeholders including patients, clinicians, academics, and industry experts, with the consultation period running from 23 May to 15 August.
Dr Vin Diwakar, NHSE’s interim medical director for transformation, emphasized the crucial role of medical technology in enhancing public health and encouraged input from all interested parties to refine the proposed MedTech pathway.
Jointly developed by NHSE and NICE, with collaboration from the Department of Health and Social Care and other key partners, the proposals aim to streamline the adoption of innovative medical devices, diagnostics, and digital products in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.
The new pathway seeks to ensure nationwide accessibility to the best MedTech solutions, offering developers a clear route to accessing NHS funding and aligning with the established processes benefiting the pharmaceutical industry.
Notable recent additions to the NHS MedTech portfolio include a laser fibre for treating enlarged prostatic tissue and the Spectra Optia device, which aids in the removal of sickle red blood cells through advanced technology.
