A recent consultation conducted by NHS England and NICE is seeking the input of healthcare professionals to streamline the process of evaluating and funding medical technology within the NHS. The primary objective of the consultation is to establish a more predictable and streamlined pathway for the evaluation, funding, and commissioning of medtech within the NHS, with the ultimate goal of enhancing patient outcomes.
One of the key proposals is the commitment to automatic funding to support the routine commissioning of technologies that meet the necessary criteria. The consultation also underscores the significance of evidence-based guidance and support for the transformation of clinical pathways and services, addressing any inequalities or biases in medtech.
These proposals have been formulated with input from various stakeholders including the Department of Health and Social Care, the Office for Life Science, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. NICE will play a pivotal role in determining the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new medical technologies, and the organization is updating its evaluation methods accordingly.
Dr Vin Diwakar, interim Medical Director for Transformation at NHS England, has emphasized the importance of gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders, including patients, industry, clinicians, and the public, to ensure that the medtech pathway can provide the maximum clinical and cost-effective benefit.
Mark Chapman, Director of the Health Technologies Programme at NICE, has highlighted that the new pathway aims to ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the best products, devices, digital technologies, or diagnostic innovations. This will also provide clarity for medtech developers, offering them a clear route to accessing NHS funding, similar to the current benefits enjoyed by the pharmaceutical industry.
The consultation is now open for feedback from patients, clinicians, academics, and industry professionals, with submissions accepted through the consultation webpage. The deadline for feedback is 15th August, and all contributions will be carefully considered in the development of the medtech pathway.
This initiative represents a significant step towards improving access to funding for new medical technology within the NHS. By seeking the input of various stakeholders, the aim is to create a more efficient and transparent process for evaluating and funding innovative medical technologies, ultimately driving better outcomes for patients across the country.