UK

On April 3, 2024, NHS England published the 2024/25 Prescribed Specialised Services (PSS) Operational Tool. This Tool is used as a mechanism to identify whether healthcare activity belongs to specialized services using so-called identification rules. Forty-three new service lines were introduced in multiple areas, and eight service lines were amended.

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 late March 2024, NHS England released the amended 2023/25 NHS Payment Scheme (NHSPS) to come into force on April 1, 2024. No changes were made to the general payment model. Eight new items were added to the High Cost Devices List, and one new device was added to the MedTech Funding Mandate. New reimbursement codes and tariffs for three types of specialist radiotherapy were introduced. Furthermore, HRG tariffs were uplifted for 2024/25.

In March 2024, the English government endorsed the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation to introduce newborn screening for hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1 (HT1). Testing for HT1 will be added to the NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme in England.

In March 2024, NHS England published twelve new service specifications defining the scope and function of clinical networks in different fields, including cardiology, intensive care, nephrology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. Clinical networks allow specialty-level collaboration between patients, providers, and commissioners and play a vital role in coordinating pathways of care, supporting equitable access to healthcare, and assuring and improving quality.

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.

On March 6, 2024, Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare announced nine innovations awarded ‘Competition 23 - Child Health, Phase 1’. Funding of £885,000 is provided to support the development of innovations that improve the health and well-being of children and young people. Awarded technologies concerned e-Health, in-vitro diagnostic, pulmonology, and endocrine fields

On March 5, 2024, NICE published an integrated topic prioritization and strategic principles and launched a consultation. The deadline for submitting comments is April 4, 2024.

On February 29, 2024, NICE published interim methods and processes for a new type of guidance called Late Stage Assessment (LSA) in HealthTech and launched a consultation. The document defines the objectives of the LSA, stakeholders involved, timelines, topic selection, approach to assessing the evidence, economic evaluation, and recommendations. The deadline for submitting comments is March 28, 2024.

In January 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released one Med Tech-related assessment in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned bariatric surgery in adults with severe obesity in Scotland. 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.