Medical Technology Group report welcomes greater focus on innovation uptake, but says that improvements are needed
The current system for encouraging innovation in the NHS is healthier than it has ever been, according to the Medical Technology Group, which has evaluated the effectiveness of the organisations involved in promoting the uptake of innovation in the health service. Its report ‘Our NHS: A spotlight on the Innovation Landscape’, however, maintains that the NHS is still far from creating a much-needed culture of innovation and ensuring the widespread and early patient access to technology.
The creation of the Accelerated Access Collaborative is providing leadership and guidance for the development of innovation, the report states. It praises the AAC for creating work programmes that NHS organisations can engage with and support, and for its role in ensuring its work does not get lost in other departmental activity. Overall, the AAC appears to be “gaining the prominence and adequate leadership to ensure that it makes a significant impact on the innovation landscape”.
Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) are also singled out for praise by the MTG. The Government has signalled their importance and its commitment to these organisations by expanding their remit, the report states. Their role as ‘catalysts and connectors’ has led to the introduction of over 330 technologies that have benefited over 20 million patients.
The report recommends that the AAC is given greater support, more prominence in the NHS architecture, as well as a more formal role in all aspects of innovation. While it has focused on supporting the limited uptake of a small number of technologies and delivered impressive results in certain fields, the process is “unlikely to solve the fundamental issues that slow down the rapid uptake of technology across the wider healthcare system”. It should also strive to develop a culture of innovation and ensure the mechanics of the NHS support this.
The MTG report also recommends that:
- An Early Access to Medical Technology scheme is needed, providing funding and support for NHS organisations to ensure patients benefit from the right medical technology for their condition.
- The Innovation and Technology Tariff / Payment should be reformed so that it enables system-wide adoption of proven technology.
- Devices, like drugs, with a positive Health Technology Appraisal from NICE and are proven to be cost effective, should receive mandatory funding.
- NHS procurement mechanisms need to prioritise value over upfront cost.
- Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) should look at a wider range of benefits, such as the impact on social care and people’s ability to return to work.
- The ‘less is better’ mind-set, whereby initiatives aim to reduce demand by removing treatments, needs to change. Instead the focus should be on getting people through the system and back to full health.
Barbara Harpham, Chair of the MTG, said, “Creating a culture of innovation needs to come from the very top of Government and the buck stops with the Secretary of State himself. His commitment to technology is welcome, but he now needs to go beyond the exciting initiatives and embed a culture that really drives the adoption of new technology in the UK health system.
“The number of reviews, reports, and initiatives to stimulate the uptake of innovation in the NHS over the past 13 years has now topped 20. While it’s encouraging to see that some of these steps are finally starting to lead to more adoption, it’s time to ensure that the value of technology is recognised and that patient access to proven medical technology is properly funded across the country.
“Mandatory funding for all NICE guidance would provide reassurance to industry and certainty to patients. It would put the postcode lottery beast to rest once and for all.”
