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Written question asked by Mark Eastwood (Conservative) on Monday, 18 September 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 October 2023. It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Monday, 16 October 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Medical Treatments: Innovation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase access to innovative medical technologies through the NHS.

Answer

The Department’s inaugural Medical Technology (MedTech) Strategy was published on 3 February 2023, building on the broader Life Sciences Vision. We are committed to ensuring that the Department utilises innovative MedTech as implementation progresses.

The MedTech Strategy includes a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the end-to-end innovation pathway, including procurement routes, to expedite patient access to MedTech and boost adoption within the National Health Service.

The Innovative Devices Access Pathway pilot was launched on 19 September 2023. This new pathway will provide multi-partner support for the rapid development of innovative technologies for adoption into the NHS to address unmet clinical needs. More information on the pilot is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-innovative-devices-access-pathway-idap

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will undertake new Multi-Technology Evaluations of technologies in use and at a later stage in their lifecycle. These evaluations will enable comparisons between similar products and support the NHS to make better informed decisions on the right product for the right price.

The Department is working closely with NHS Supply Chain and NHS England to develop a consistent methodology for value-based procurement (VBP). VBP aims to shift procurement decisions away from an emphasis on reducing product costs to working with industry to consider technologies that represent a reduction in total costs within the patient pathway. Timeframes are still being determined.

The Department will consult on updating processes on applications to Part IX of the Drug Tariff to support the adoption of innovation in primary and community care.

The NHS Innovation Service is providing innovators with the resources, tools and support they need to increase the chances of getting their product or idea adopted by the NHS. More information is available at the following link:

https://innovation.nhs.uk/

We plan to assess the impact of these initiatives through the MedTech Strategy Programme governance structures.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
200122
Session
2022-23
Related items
Medical Treatments: Innovation
Thursday, 26 October 2023
Written questions
House of Commons
Medical Treatments: Innovation
Monday, 20 November 2023
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Innovation Medical treatments Technology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk