UK

On May 30, 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement updated the 2021/22 National Genomic Test Directory for cancer (version 4), which lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. However, no new codes were introduced.

In May 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research in England released three MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned colonoscopy surveillance following adenoma removal and transfer of thawed frozen embryo versus fresh embryo to improve the healthy baby rate in women undergoing IVF, and digital smartphone intervention for schizophrenia. 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 guidance.

In May 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (endoanchoring systems in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, supercapsular percutaneously assisted total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, personalized external aortic root support using mesh in people with Marfan syndrome), one Medical Technologies Guidance (Sleepio to treat insomnia and insomnia symptoms), and six Medtech innovation Briefings (ViewSite Brain Access System, Granulox for managing chronic wounds, AMBLor for identifying melanomas, Bladder EpiCheck for detecting bladder cancer recurrence, and others). No MedTech-related clinical guidelines were published.

In April 2022, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in England released two MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned uterine artery embolization versus myomectomy for premenopausal women with uterine fibroids and supraglottic airway device versus tracheal intubation in the initial airway management. 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 April 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (intramedullary distraction for upper limb lengthening, liposuction for chronic lymphoedema). Also, one new clinical guideline on epilepsies in children, young people, and adults was published, and one for stroke and transient ischaemic attack in over 16s was updated.

In April 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) announced that the timelines for the evaluation of applications to update the National Genomic Test Directory in 2022/23 are currently under review. Previously, NHSEI planned to publish and implement the 2022/23 Test Directory by April 2022. While the timelines are not confirmed, applications can still be submitted.

On April 21, 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement updated the 2021/22 National Genomic Test Directory (version 3), which lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. Forty-two new codes (test-indication combinations) were introduced in the cancer field, and fourteen for rare and inherited diseases.

In April 2022, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 0183 and 0080 with changes to be implemented no later than June 14, 2022. Eleven new procedure codes and nine new diagnostic codes were introduced.

A new test called Genedrive System to detect babies at risk of gentamycin-related deafness was developed at the University of Manchester, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). On April 02, 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement announced that Genedrive is now fully CE certified to be used in a clinical setting. The test is expected to be implemented in routine care in all NHS Manchester Foundation Trust hospitals within several weeks.

In Q1 of 2022, Health Technology Wales (HTW) published one MedTech-related guidance on transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression treatment. A total of eleven Topic Exploration Reports (TERs) were released in Q1. Based on the TERs conclusions, HTW's Assessment Group decided to proceed with developing an Evidence Appraisal Report (EAR) and Guidance on one topic only - radiofrequency renal denervation for the treatment of resistant hypertension.

On April 12, 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) published 2022/23 priorities and operational planning guidance, including elective recovery planning supporting guidance, capital guidance for 2022-25, and revenue finance and contracting guidance. The 2022/23 priorities and operational planning guidance set out NHSE/I priorities for the year ahead and reconfirms the ongoing need to restore services, meet new care demands, and reduce the care backlogs that are a direct consequence of the pandemic.

In March 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published five new Interventional Procedure Guidance (endoscopic balloon dilation for subglottic or tracheal stenosis, intramedullary distraction for lower limb lengthening, endoscopic full thickness removal of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach, percutaneous insertion of a cystic duct stent after cholecystostomy, and liposuction for chronic lipoedema), four new Medical Technologies Guidance (myCOPD, UroShield, Prontosan for wounds, and 3C Patch for diabetic foot ulcers), one new Diagnostic Guidance (terminated assessment of Freelite assays for multiple myeloma), and six new Medtech Innovation Briefings (Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID System, icobrain for multiple sclerosis, Al for analyzing chest X-ray images, and others). Also, three new clinical guidelines were published, and six were updated.