England

In November 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned procalcitonin evaluation of antibiotic use in COVID-19 hospitalized patients, comparison of the knee arthroplasty versus joint distraction for osteoarthritis, comparison of surgical approaches for mitral valve repair, as well as comparison of sample types for diagnostics of infected diabetic foot ulcers.

In November 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on low-energy contact X-ray brachytherapy for rectal cancer with different recommendations depending on clinical indications. Furthermore, three new clinical guidelines were released.

On November 17, 2025, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) launched a consultation on the 2025 evidence map relating to population screening for bladder cancer, which is not currently recommended in the UK. The evidence review found no substantial new evidence to change existing recommendations or commissioning further evidence synthesis work. The topic should be reconsidered by the UK NSC in three years. Organizations and the public are invited to submit comments until February 9, 2026.

On November 17, 2025, NHS England published a draft 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme (NHSPS) and launched a consultation. While the overall payment model remains, some specific changes are proposed, including new blended payments for urgent and emergency care, radiotherapy, and genomic testing, as well as two new Best Practice Tariffs (BPT) to incentivize day case procedures, and 10 Year Health Plan referral-to-treatment (RTT) priorities. The deadline for comment submission is December 16, 2025.

On November 4, 2025, NHS England published the strategic commissioning framework to support the 10 Year Health Plan ambitions. The document outlines that strategic commissioning will be the key role of integrated care boards (ICBs) in the future. It is expected that all ICBs will begin to adopt this approach as part of the NHS planning process for the financial year 2026/27.

On November 4, 2025, NHS England published an updated work plan for the development of Clinical Commissioning Policies for specialised services. One new MedTech-related policy concerning cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness was added to the work program, and none have been published since the previous update. The status of ongoing policies has also been updated.

In November 2025, NHS England released a final summary of core changes between OPCS-4.10 and OPCS-4.11, a procedure coding classification updated every three years. Multiple changes were implemented, including 572 new four-character (subcategory) codes in various fields, such as cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, gastroenterology, urology and nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, men’s health, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology, orthopedics, spine, interventional radiology, and radiotherapy. OPCS-4.11 is expected to take effect on April 1, 2026.

In October 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned tumor profiling tests in early breast cancer, remote monitoring of heart failure in people with cardiac implantable electronic devices, microstructural scaffolds in symptomatic defects of the knee, as well as rapid tests for antifungal stewardship in the ICU.

In October 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Early Value Assessment on AI technologies for the detection of vertebral fragility fractures and two new Interventional Procedures Guidances on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in refractory cardiac arrest and severe acute heart failure.

In September 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned pulmonology, in-vitro diagnostics, cardiology, and dermatology fields.

On August 19, 2025, NHS England announced that most integrated care boards (ICBs, local commissioners) will coordinate their work by gathering in clusters. Thirteen clusters, each comprising two to three ICBs, will be established by the end of 2025, while thirteen ICBs will continue to operate independently.

On September 1, 2025, the application window opened to join the 2026 NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) program. NIA supports the development of innovators (Fellows) and the spread of their innovation nationally. The 2026 call is not limited to a specific theme and is open to innovations addressing any health and care challenges. The application deadline is October 12, 2025.