Medical technology
on understanding, and tackling these specific problems, as well as working towards an overall vision. The Government is seeking to proactively identify these areas and ensure its broader strategy is adapted to best meet these specific needs. The implementation plan to deliver on this
strategy will be published later this year and will include a review of the £1 billion spent on appliances in primary care; new comparison tools to enable better decision making when purchasing, which achieve the best results for patients; and collaboration with industry to ensure availability of key products to keep patients safe.
Commenting on the strategy, Dr. Timothy
Ferris, national director for transformation at NHS England said: “Medical technology has an enormous role to play in benefitting patients now and in the future. The importance of MedTech was made clear during the COVID-19 pandemic and, as the NHS moves through its recovery, it will play a key role in addressing the challenges we face.” Dr. Sam Roberts of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence added: “It is essential that clinicians and patients can access the most impactful and cost-effective medical technologies, while MedTech companies need to be confident that they are developing products which meet the needs of patients and the NHS. This strategy sets out a clear vision for the future. NICE is excited to be part of the delivery of this vision, working with our partners to further develop world leading processes to provide a sustainable pathway for medical technologies, from innovation to implementation.” Peter Ellingworth of the Association of British
HealthTech Industries (ABHI) also welcomed the publication of the DHSC MedTech Strategy: “HealthTech plays a valuable role in enabling improved outcomes through changing patient pathways as well as productivity and efficiency gains. It is important that this strategy supports the ambition of the Life Sciences Vision to create an outstanding business environment for HealthTech companies. We look forward to working closely with the Directorate in the implementation the strategy,” Ellingworth commented. To view the full report, visit: https://tinyurl. com/5c67vwa5
References 1 MedTech Europe’s Facts and Figures 2022 - MedTech Europe
2 EPO, 2020. EPO – Statistics and trends 3 Estimates based on NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative data and DHSC internal analysis, May 2022
COMMENT with Barbara Harpham
Making the best out of the MedTech strategy
Over the course of the pandemic, one thing that has emerged is the important role of medical technology in helping our health service cope with unprecedented pressure. At our recent Medical Technology Awareness Week reception in Parliament, we heard first-hand how clinicians, where previously reluctant, were forced to rely on technology and innovation to ease demand on diagnostic, treatment and staffing capacity. The Government’s latest medical technology strategy shows willingness to further harness the untapped potential of this technology. It focuses on some key areas of concern, particularly around data infrastructure for testing products as well as resilience in supply chains when procuring products. As many commented at our reception, there isn’t necessarily a problem with availability of innovation in the NHS, it’s finding the time for clinicians and staff to implement it in a way that is safe, effective and reliable.
MedTech and Trust performance Against the backdrop of this strategy’s implementation, it’s worth relaying the benefits of medical technology we’ve documented over the best part of the decade. From robotic surgery to surgical sutures, millions of NHS patients already benefit from medical technology. Unfortunately, the spread of this technology isn’t always equal. As our Ration Watch reports have discovered, all too often access to world class treatment on the NHS is dependent on where you live, not what you need. In our latest Ration Watch study, we found evidence that this doesn’t just affect patients on an individual level, it can also impact the performance of an entire Trust. In numerous case studies, we found instances where the use of innovation and medical technology saw hospitals significantly outperform others, sometimes within just 20 miles of each other. As we argued in the report, NHS England, the Government and other local NHS bodies must move towards a clear mechanism of learning from the highest performing Trusts. This includes understanding which medical technology and innovation is helping those hospitals outperform others. The strategy’s promise to work towards a standardised system of data for testing medical
technology forms a key part of this mechanism. If we can provide Trusts and clinicians with the necessary data regarding the implementation of certain technology or innovation, then we can increase its uptake in a timely and equitable manner that will benefit patients across the health service. As such, the Government’s first medical technology strategy is welcome news for those who have long argued that the implementation of medical technology at pace and scale is key to future proofing the NHS.
CSJ
Turning words into action Still in its early days, the Integrated Care System (ICS) network needs support. The role of the Medical Technology Group is starting to change, from campaigning for awareness towards playing an active role in helping NHS leaders understand how medical technology can work for them and their patients. Beyond making the findings of our report known in Parliament and among other key NHS stakeholders, we are now moving towards working with Trust leaders on a granular level. Soon we will launch a webinar aimed at working towards best practices in using medical technology to help those parts of the NHS which need it most. The Government strategy is an exciting development, but it will need ongoing collaboration across the health service. At present, it is just words but, based on our past campaigning work and the enthusiasm we’ve encountered across Government and the health service, we are confident soon they will also become action.
Barbara Harpham is chair of the Medical Technology Group, a not for profit organisation working to improve patient access to effective medical technologies.
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