Medical technology
Government unveils MedTech strategy
Using MedTech effectively will be critical for reducing waiting lists, as well as improving outcomes for patients. The Government has set out its key priorities for supporting MedTech innovation and adoption, while ensuring a sustainable and resilient supply chain.
In May 2021, a new Medical Technologies Directorate was announced. Sitting within the Department of Health and Social Care, its creation was intended to support supply, regulation, innovation and value within the UK’s HealthTech sector. The Directorate’s long-awaited medical technology (MedTech) strategy has now been published with the aim of improving access to safe, effective and innovative medical equipment, such as the latest generation of home dialysis machines, which enable patients to manage their own health at home and in their day-to-day lives. Building on learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid development of medical technologies during that time, such as lateral flow tests and ventilators, the strategy aims to ensure “the right product is available, at the right price, and in the right place”. The focus is on delivering value for money, using the latest data on the effectiveness of new technology to ensure prices are reasonable for the health system. The Government strategy is also aiming to help build resilient supply chains and ensure the UK is prepared for future pandemics. Using MedTech effectively will be critical in
reducing waiting lists for treatment, in the wake of the pandemic, as it has the potential to speed up diagnosis and deliver new and improved ways to treat and support patients. For example, COVID-19 demonstrated the importance of fast and accurate diagnostic testing and genome sequencing to process and share results, and home lateral flow testing showed the potential for increased use of diagnostics outside of formal clinical settings, to support earlier diagnosis and free up staff time. Minister of State for Health, Will Quince, said:
“The UK’s innovative spirit delivered revolutionary technology during the pandemic – from COVID tests and ventilators – and we want to harness this in promoting cutting-edge medical advancements to improve patient care. “The NHS spends around £10 billion a year on medical technology and I’m looking forward to working with industry to use this, as we focus
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on reducing hospital stays, enhancing diagnosis, preventing illness, and freeing up staff time. This new MedTech strategy will help build a sustainable NHS with patients at the centre, so people can continue to access the right care at the right time.” The MedTech sector is also an important
provider of opportunities for jobs and development of specialist skills in local areas across the UK. For both the core MedTech and service and supply chain sectors, the Southeast, London, and the East of England account for 41% of the employment, and 59% is located outside of these regions, with significant UK-wide regional clusters. The UK is also a major player in the international market, exporting over £5.6 billion of MedTech products in 2021.1 The report points out that the UK MedTech
sector is a high-paced area of innovation. In 2021, the UK made 471 medical technology patent applications – 1 in 12 of all UK patents – to the European Patent Office.2
This focus
on novel technology is supported by a broad range of funding and support schemes. In 2021, there were around 60 different programmes supporting innovative technologies,
representing over £1 billion of funding.3
However,
the report acknowledges that these frameworks can be difficult to navigate and it is often up to the innovator to research and link different programmes. Having considered the broader landscape and
current activity, the Government says that it has identified the gaps and opportunities where it needs to prioritise additional effort.
Right product The Government emphasises the need to ensure products are clinically safe and effective by developing best-in-class regulations and upholding safety standards. It says that it will “encourage innovative and sustainable product development” to better meet patient needs, diagnosis, and outcomes. It is important that every person has timely
access to effective, safe medical technology regardless of ethnicity, sex, or any other attribute. The strategy also says that the aim is to put “clinical leadership at the forefront of MedTech”, making sure that “healthcare professionals and patients can make informed decisions on MedTech products with clarity and confidence.”
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