e-Health

In Scotland, the Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) develops HTAs and clinical guidelines to support decision-making. The assessments on artificial intelligence supported clinician review of chest X-rays from patients with suspected lung cancer; an assessment of local anesthetic biopsies of suspicious laryngeal and pharyngeal lesions; a digital prevention program for people at risk of Type 2 diabetes were published in the first quarter of 2024.

In March 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Health Technology Evaluations using early value assessment (digital health technologies to help manage symptoms of psychosis and prevent relapse in adults and young people, and digital technologies for managing non-specific low back pain). Furthermore, three new clinical guidelines were published, four clinical guidelines, and two Health Technology Evaluations were updated.

In March 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four MedTech-related assessments in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned septoplasty in deviated nasal septum, software with AI-derived algorithms for analyzing CT brain scans, KardiaMobile 6L for measuring QT interval, and surgical management of pelvic fractures. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.

In February 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for obesity. Furthermore, one Health Technology Evaluation using early value assessment (digitally enabled therapies for adults with depression) was updated.

In March 2024, several ongoing mini-HTA assessments for diagnostic imaging, e-health, endoscopic procedures, IVD, neuromodulation, peripheral vascular, and some other fields are evaluated as a part of a framework for the managed introduction of innovations "New Methods in Norway.

On February 28, 2024, the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity published an Order in the Official Journal of the French Republic setting the tariffs for the medical telemonitoring activities for patients with defibrillators and cardiac pacemakers. The half-yearly tariff for the distributor of digital medical devices is set at €550 per patient for the first 4,999 patients.

In February 2024, Danish Regions announced the launch of the National board for digitization and data in health and elderly. The new National Board will have decision-making competence regarding digital solutions and infrastructure, welfare technology, new data-driven technologies, and the use of data for patient treatment, research, statistics, and quality improvement in the health and elderly areas.

In February 2024, the Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) is working on several HTAs, including evaluations in the cardiovascular, e-health, ENT, IVD, and some other fields.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) released new recommendations about add-on reimbursement of medical devices and medical aids from the meetings of the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS) in February 2024. Fourteen recommendations were published concerning the registration of medical devices or modification of registration conditions with the extension of indications for the medical devices in the List of Reimbursable Products and Services (LPPR). Opinions concern cardiovascular, neurovascular, neuromodulation, endocrine, and endoscopy devices, as well as medical aids.

In February 2024, the Danish Health Technology Council (Behandlingsrådet) completed three assessments. The Council made positive recommendations regarding home non-invasive ventilation for patients with COPD and non-surgical management for the treatment of distal radius fractures in patients over 65 years. Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of adults with mild or moderate depression was not recommended.

On January 26, 2024, NHS England announced the third round of the Innovation Open Call, funded by the NHS Cancer Programme. All types of late-stage innovations aimed at early detection and diagnosis of cancer are eligible, including medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics, digital health solutions, and AI. Awarded projects will be 100% funded up to the total value of £4 million to produce and evaluate evidence in a real-world setting, supporting adoption and spread by providers, commissioners, and regulators. The application submission will be open on April 8, 2024.

In February 2024, the Skåne University Hospital is working on several HTAs, including evaluations in the cardiovascular, e-health, endocrine, men’s health, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics fields.