UK

In November 2022, NHS Digital published a final summary of core changes from OPCS-4.9 to OPCS-4.10 to be introduced from April 01, 2023. OPCS-4 is a statistical classification for clinical coding of interventions and procedures undertaken within the NHS. It is updated every three years. A total of 236 new four-character codes will be implemented in OPCS-4.10. Key changes concern cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endoscopy, ENT, nephrology and urology, neurology and neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic, and breast surgery fields.

In November 2022, NHS England defined a deadline for applications to the High Cost Device List (HCDL) changes to be implemented in the 2024/25 National Tariff Payment System. The completed application form should be submitted via email by May 31, 2023.

MedTech-related health technology assessments from NIHR in October 2022 In October 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released one MedTech-related report in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned photodynamic versus white-light-guided resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. 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 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedure Guidance (YAG laser vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous floaters, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve for treating and preventing migraine), one Medical Technologies Guidance (Magtrace and Sentimag system for locating sentinel lymph nodes for breast cancer) and three new Medtech Innovation Briefings (O2matic PRO 100, Daylight, Signatera). Also, one new clinical guideline was published on osteoarthritis.

On October 12, 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) announced the launch of an official collaboration with five other HTA bodies from Canada, Australia, Scotland, and Wales. The partners will remain independent and work together on shared priorities. Five initial priority areas have been agreed upon, including COVID-19, digital health, and Artificial Intelligence. The partnership could be expanded to include other HTA bodies in the future.

On March 16, 2022, NHS England launched a strategy for embedding genomics in the NHS over the next five years. The ambition is to accelerate the use of genomic medicine across the NHS, providing a world-leading, equitable service to populations and individuals.

In September 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released one MedTech-related report in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned early computed tomography coronary angiography in acute coronary syndrome. 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 September 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (removal, preservation and subsequent reimplantation of ovarian tissue, prostatic urethral temporary implant insertion, neurostimulation of lumbar muscles), and one new Medtech Innovation Briefings (iTind). Also, one Medical Technologies Guidance and three Medtech-related clinical guidelines were updated.

In August 2022, the Scottish Health Technology Group, SHTG, released two MedTech-related assessments: vCreate Neuro for the diagnosis and management of adults and children with epilepsy and other neurological disorders and Bluetooth Tagging of medical equipment.

NHS England is currently developing a Service Specification for NHS Clinical Genomic Services (NHS CGSs). On September 01, 2022, draft Service Specification and supporting documents were published for consultation. The deadline for comments submission is September 30, 2022.

On September 01, 2022, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (as of August 24, 2022). Two new MedTech-related Clinical Commissioning Policies were added to the work program (transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve, pectus surgery for really severe pectus), and no new policies were published. The status of ongoing policies was updated as well.

In August 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released two MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence after prostate surgery and closure techniques after surgery for colorectal cancer. 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.