UK

In October 2021, the Scottish Health Technology Group released two Innovative Medical Technology Overviews for e-health technologies. The topics were asynchronous digital dermatology appointment service (DDAS) and the Dxcover™ Brain Cancer Liquid Biopsy. Regarding DDAS, the authors concluded that the Scottish health boards should provide more data to allow for further performance and economic analyses of the DDAS. Regarding Dxcover™, the SHTG concluded that it was cost-effective, but further work to confirm its accuracy, effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness is required.

In October 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (genicular artery embolization for pain from knee osteoarthritis, laparoscopic renal denervation for loin pain hematuria syndrome, percutaneous endovascular forearm arteriovenous fistula creation for hemodialysis access), and one new Medical Technologies Guidance (DyeVert Systems for reducing the risk of acute kidney injury in coronary and peripheral angiography). Also, two new clinical guidelines were published.

In November 2021, NHSX announced projects to improve digital pathways awarded for funding from the newly created Adoption Fund. Funding opportunities will support Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) with initiatives to test out digital pathways across various specialty areas, including gastroenterology, musculoskeletal, and cardiology. A total of 35 applications were successful and will share funding of £6.5 million.

In late September 2021, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclature for private payers in England, has published Bulletins 0179 and 0076 with changes to be implemented no later than January 01, 2022. Four new procedure codes related to gynecology, robotic surgery in the pulmonology area, and orthopedics, and four new diagnostic codes were introduced.

In October 2021, NHS England issued an updated version of the National Genomic Test Directory for 2021/2022, which lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. Twenty new codes (test-indication combinations) were introduced in the cancer field, and 115 new codes were added for rare and inherited diseases.

On September 23, 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) published the National bundle of care for children and young people with asthma, which is phase one of a plan to support Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in delivering high-quality asthma care.

On September 29, 2021, NHSX announced the first phase winners of a Digital Health Partnership Award aimed to help NHS organizations receive funding to accelerate the adoption of digital health products and services to monitor patients with long-term conditions remotely. There will be three categories of funding: projects requiring the support of up to £100,000, £250,000, and £500,000.

In September 2021, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in England released two MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned non-invasive imaging software for coronary stenosis assessment (QAngio XA 3D/QFR and CAAS vFFR) and quantitative fetal fibronectin test to predict preterm labor. 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.

The NHS Digital extended the application period for changes in the OPCS-4 nomenclature of procedure codes, which is updated every three years. The new deadline for change requests is December 01, 2021. The changes shall be implemented in the OPCS-4.10 version from April 01, 2023.

The Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) is a national health technology assessment (HTA) agency providing advice to NHSScotland on the use of new and existing health technologies, likely to have a significant impact on healthcare. In the third quarter of 2021, SHTG published only one report in relation to HeartFlow fractional flow reserve computerized tomography (FFRCT). Currently, the SHTG is working on assessments of technologies in the field of diabetes, digital health, surgical procedures, and other topics.

On September 30, 2021, the 2020/21 National Tariff Payment System was published in England, and it came into effect on October 01, 2021. The publication has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation for a failed surgically implanted mitral valve bioprosthesis, transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-ring (TMVIR) after failed annuloplasty for mitral valve repair, and lateral elbow resurfacing for arthritis), and two new Medtech Innovation Briefings (Carnation Ambulatory Monitor, OrganOx metra for liver transplant). Also, one clinical guideline was updated.