techUK's Response to NHS England and NICE's Consultation on a New MedTech Pathway

Representing the voice of industry leaders, techUK responded to the NHS England and NICE's consultation on a new integrated, rules-based medical technology pathway. This project could significantly influence the future of healthcare innovation in the UK. Here are the key perspectives. 

techUK Response - NHSE & NICE Medtech Consultation

A Vision for Clarity and Collaboration 

While techUK broadly supports the initiative to streamline innovation into a unified pathway; members’ discussions emphasised the importance of a balanced approach that fosters innovation without overwhelming existing resources. This means addressing the broader systemic factors like connectivity and procurement, while balancing NICE’s capacity to handle the potential increase in demand. 

Key Concerns and Recommendations 

techUK’s response identifies several crucial areas for consideration: 

• Inclusion and scope: Clearer definitions are needed to ensure what digital healthcare products are included within the pathway's scope. 
• Resource management: There are concerns about whether NICE has the necessary resources to manage the expected demand, which could create bottlenecks and impact the pace of innovation.
• Impact on existing products: The industry needs reassurance that the new pathway will not disadvantage currently used products that haven't undergone the pathway.
• Integration with existing regulations: It’s crucial to align the new pathway with existing frameworks, such as the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC), to avoid regulatory confusion. 
• Cost-Effectiveness and Systemic Impact: A comprehensive approach to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of new technologies is needed, one that considers long-term savings across the entire healthcare system. 

Next Steps in Driving the Future of Medical Technology Innovation 

techUK welcomes the initiative and further advocates for a collaborative approach, urging NHS England and NICE to work closely with industry stakeholders to foster an environment where innovation can thrive. 

For a more detailed understanding of techUK's recommendations, please read full consultation response. 

For any additional enquiries on the project, please reach out to Viola Pastorino at [email protected]  

techUK Response - NHSE & NICE Medtech Consultation

Groups 

Digital Innovation in the Life Sciences Industry

techUK has launched a Life Sciences workstream, bringing together members actively working in drug discovery, digital therapeutics, data and AI, or those interested in moving into this space. As the Life Sciences sector looks to introduce digital health technologies into its portfolio, techUK are shaping the conversation.

Interoperability Working Group

The Interoperability Working Group will work towards achieving the vision set out in NHS England’s 2022 draft standards and interoperability strategy. The group will aim to encourage the adoption of open standards and fluidity of data whilst recognising the commercial needs of members. It will also focus on demonstrating the value of interoperability to NHS senior management and improving the abilities of SMEs to implement interoperability standards.

Social Care Innovation

Find out more about our work to shape the digital social care marketplace and how our members are innovating across the industry.

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