UK

On October 10, 2024, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 198 and 094 with changes to be implemented no later than December 5, 2024. Fifty-two new procedure codes related to ENT, gastrointestinal, men’s health, urology, neurology and neurosurgery, gynecology, orthopedics, robotic surgery, and surgical procedures areas, and two new diagnostic codes were introduced.

In Q3 2024, Health Technology Wales completed three full appraisals with the publication of Evidence Appraisal Report and Guidance (AI for whole slide prostate biopsy images, AI-assisted endoscopy for gastrointestinal cancer, and Floseal in the treatment of epistaxis). Furthermore, 24 Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published concerning cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, gynecology, e-health, in-vitro diagnostics, and other areas.

In September 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released three MedTech-related assessments in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery in peritoneal metastases, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in life-threatening torso hemorrhage, and clopidogrel resistance genotype testing. 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.

On September 11, 2024, NHS England published an updated work plan for specialized clinical commissioning policies development. One MedTech-related policy was added to the program on long-term left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) for destination therapy in adults with heart failure. No new policies were published.

In September 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance concerning single-step scaffold insertion for repairing symptomatic chondral knee defects.

In August 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released eight MedTech-related assessments in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned automated devices for identifying peripheral arterial disease, left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy, cerclage suture type to prevent pregnancy loss, gynecological cancer surveillance in Lynch syndrome, multiparametric MRI in bladder cancer pathway, in-home monitoring for people with glaucoma, real-time ultrasound elastography of thyroid nodules, and AI-based software for analyzing chest X-ray images. 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.

On September 2, 2024, NHS England published service specifications for same-day emergency care (SDEC). The SDEC model allows patients to be assessed, diagnosed, and treated on the same day of arrival instead of being admitted to a hospital. The specification defines the scope, care pathways, patient selection, referral to SDEC, and requirements for staff and quality.

In August 2024, NICE published its position statement on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods in the generation and reporting of evidence considered by NICE evaluation programs. According to it, any use of AI should be done judiciously, leveraging the strengths of AI to support and enhance decision-making only when it is suitable and adds value. The use of AI methods should augment human involvement, not replace it.

In August 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedures Guidance concerning caval valve implantation for tricuspid regurgitation and phrenic nerve pacing for ventilator-dependent high cervical spinal cord injury and for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Furthermore, two new clinical guidelines were published for diabetic retinopathy and adrenal insufficiency.

In August 2024, NICE prioritization board decisions were published regarding the following Med Tech-related topics: clinical guidelines on lower urinary tract symptoms in men (prioritized), NPi-200 for pupillary light reflex in critical care (not prioritized), Aquablation robotic therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia (not prioritized), and tumor treating fields in glioblastoma (not prioritized).

On September 1, 2024, the application window opened to join the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) program in 2025. NIA supports the development of individuals ('Fellows') and the spread of their innovation nationally. For the 2025 intake, the NIA seeks high-impact, evidence-based innovations that can address any challenge the healthcare system faces. The application deadline is October 14, 2024.

On July 1, 2024, the annual call for proposals to the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) was launched. During the call, stakeholders can propose potential new screening topics or modifications of existing screening programs. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2024.