NHS England (NHSE) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have set out a new plan for a more rules-based, integrated and predictable pathway for the evaluation, funding and commissioning of medical technologies in the NHS.
The national bodies have taken the step to ensure the growing number of innovative products recommended by NICE can be introduced to the NHS on a large-scale to improve patient outcomes. The plan also includes proposals to benefit innovators and suppliers.
Five principles have been developed for the proposals which articulate how the new pathway:
- should be supported by evidence-based advice and guidance from NICE, focused on technologies with the greatest impact on patient outcomes and the best cases for clinical and cost-effectiveness;
- requires a lifecycle approach to support new, early-stage technologies as well as driving greater value from existing technologies in widespread use;
- should lead to automatic identification of funding to support routine commissioning and adoption for clinically and cost-effective and affordable technologies;
- should support the transformation of clinical pathways and services;
- should drive up the quality and use of evidence, helping tackle ethnic and unfair biases in MedTech.
A consultation on the plan has been launched and will close on 15 August 2024.
“As a trusted organisation that has built an international reputation for developing evidence-based recommendations over the last 25 years, we believe that when a product is backed by positive NICE guidance it shows the rest of the world the value and benefits it can bring healthcare users,” said NICE’s Health Technologies Programme director, Mark Chapman.
He continued: “This new pathway aims to ensure that patients in every area of the country can benefit from the best products, devices, digital technologies, or a diagnostic innovation.
“It will bring clarity to MedTech developers, giving them a clear route to accessing NHS funding, in the same way the pharmaceutical industry currently benefits from.”
NHSE’s interim medical director for transformation, Dr Vin Diwakar, added: “Medical technology plays a vital role in the nation’s health and these proposals outline how we can fully maximise its use for the benefits of patients.
“We are eager to hear from patients, industry, clinicians and the public to help us develop and shape the MedTech pathway to ensure it can provide the greatest clinical and cost-effective benefit, so please come forward with your views.”
NHSE and NICE developed the proposals in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the Office for Life Sciences.
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