UK

On November 6, 2023, NICE announced the launch of its refreshed “NICE Advice” service. It offers three types of support for pharmaceutical and health tech companies seeking to enter the NHS market: advice, insight, and education.

In October 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released one MedTech-related assessment in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal concerned posterior cervical foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy for cervical brachialgia. 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 October 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (percutaneous deep venous arterialisation, vaginal transluminal endoscopic hysterectomy and adnexal surgery) and two Health Technology Evaluations using early value assessment (digital technologies for delivering specialist weight-management services, virtual ward platform technologies for acute respiratory infections). Also, one new clinical guideline was published, and eight were updated.

In October 2023, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins with changes to be implemented no later than December 7, 2023. Eight new procedure codes (concerning endoscopy, gastrointestinal, interventional radiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and men's health) and three new diagnostic codes were introduced.

On October 10, 2023, NHS England published an updated work plan for specialized clinical commissioning policies development (as of October 2, 2023). Two MedTech-related policies were added to the program: Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery for essential tremor in adults; Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for the treatment of primary kidney cancer. The status of ongoing policies was updated.

UK patients will benefit from a £30 million government investment in innovative medical technology, which will help ease pressures on the NHS this winter. The Integrated care systems will be able to invest in the latest technology that can help cut waiting lists, speed up diagnosis, and deliver new and improved ways to treat patients.

In September 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (removal, preservation, and reimplantation of ovarian tissue for restoring fertility, transurethral water-jet ablation for lower urinary tract symptoms, cryotherapy for chronic rhinitis), and three Health Technology Evaluations using early value assessment (AI-derived software to analyze chest X-rays for suspected lung cancer, AI technologies to aid contouring for radiotherapy planning, KardiaMobile 6L for adults having antipsychotic medication). Also, two new clinical guidelines were published, and three were updated.

On September 19, 2023, the Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) pilot was launched. IDAP program aimed to accelerate the development of cost-effective medical devices and their integration into the UK market. The application window to join the pilot phase is now open to the UK and international commercial and non-commercial developers of innovative health technology. The deadline is October 29, 2023. Eight products will be selected for the pilot phase and receive non-financial support from a team of experts.

On September 12, 2023, an application window was opened to join the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) program in 2024. NIA supports the development of individuals (‘Fellows’) and the spread of their innovation nationally. The deadline for applications is October 22, 2023.

In September 2023, NHS England defined the roadmap and key dates for the next version of the OPCS-4 nomenclature of procedures, which is updated every three years. The applications for changes can be submitted no later than December 1, 2024, to be implemented in the OPCS-4.11 version from April 2026.

The National Genomic Test Directory lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. It is updated annually. The applications submitted before April 1, 2024, to add new tests or change existing ones will be considered for implementation on April 1, 2025.

In August 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedure Guidance (aortic valve reconstruction with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for aortic valve disease) and one new Diagnostic Guidance (quantitative faecal immunochemical testing to guide colorectal cancer pathway referral in primary care). Also, five clinical guidelines were updated.