NHS patients across England are set to benefit from faster access to cutting-edge medical technologies, thanks to a new ‘innovator passport’ designed to streamline approvals and eliminate duplication across the health service.
Announced as part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and Plan for Change, the passport will allow technologies that have been robustly assessed by one NHS organisation to be adopted more easily by others — slashing bureaucracy and accelerating innovation.
The system will be delivered through MedTech Compass, a new digital platform developed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which will act as a one-stop shop for NHS trusts to find, compare, and adopt proven technologies.
The move addresses long-standing frustrations from health tech innovators who have faced slow timelines and repeated compliance checks. Now, once a product is approved by one NHS body, others will no longer be able to demand duplicate assessments — freeing up time and resources for both clinicians and developers.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commented:
“For too long, Britain’s leading scientific minds have been held back by needless admin that means suppliers are repeatedly asked for the same data in different formats by different trusts – this is bad for the NHS, patients and bad for business.
“These innovator passports will save time and reduce duplication, meaning our life sciences sector – a central part of our 10 Year Health Plan - can work hand in hand with the health service and make Britain a powerhouse for medical technology.
“Frustrated patients will no longer have to face a postcode lottery for lifesaving products to be introduced in their area and companies will be able to get their technology used across the NHS more easily, creating a health service fit for future under the Plan for Change.”
Examples of successful innovations already in use include:
- Antimicrobial dressings at Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals, which cut surgical site infections by 38%.
- Protective cardiac device coverings at Barts Health Trust, saving over £103,000 annually.
- Rapid flu testing at University Hospitals Dorset, reducing bed days and antibiotic use.
These technologies — and others like them — will be made more visible and accessible through MedTech Compass, helping NHS trusts make informed, evidence-based decisions.
The initiative is also a key part of the government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan, aimed at boosting the UK’s global leadership in health innovation. By making it easier for businesses to work with the NHS, the passport will support economic growth while delivering better outcomes for patients.
In response to the announcement, NHS Confederation’s Chief Executive Matthew Taylor said:
“This new ‘innovator passport’ is a positive step towards reducing duplication, making innovation more agile and accessible, and streamlining how technology is rolled out across the health service.
“But it will be vital to ensure that important compliance processes are also kept in place to safeguard clinical and patient safety, data protection and strict Medtech regulation.
“It’s also important to remember that not all NHS organisations are at the same stage of digital maturity so this will affect their ability to either innovate or implement pre-approved innovation in this passport model.”
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