England

In April 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the evaluation of prognostic models of metastasis in colorectal cancer, assessment of e-Health platform for low back pain and the results of the “CONtact TrAcing in Care homes using digital Technology” trial. 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 NICE guidance.

In April 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance (Balloon disimpaction of the baby’s head during the cesarean section) and two Early Value Assessments (Robot-assisted surgery for soft tissue and orthopedic procedures). Furthermore, one new clinical guideline was published, and one was updated.

On April 10, 2025, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 201 and 097 with changes to be implemented no later than June 11, 2025. Ten new procedure codes concerning men’s health, endoscopy, gynecology, orthopedic, and surgical procedures fields and seven new diagnostic codes were introduced.

In March 2025, Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare announced innovations awarded through Competition 26 Phase 3 for Urgent & Emergency Care, launched in July 2024. A total of £3.9 million was allocated for the development of nine innovations, of which eight were concerned with e-health and one with in-vitro diagnostics.

On April 4, 2025, NHS England published the final NHS Payment Scheme (NHSPS) for the 2025/26 financial year (starting on April 1st), defining payment mechanisms for the provision of NHS-funded hospital and ambulatory care and some public health services. No significant changes were made to the general payment model. The key changes include the introduction of reimbursement for activities from Community Diagnostic Centres and a new Best Practice Tariff to incentivize shifting suitable procedures from day case/hospital to outpatient settings.

In March 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the results of the studies provided within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). 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 NICE guidance.

On March 19, 2025, the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) announced 28 new innovators (“Fellows”) with healthcare solutions awarded to join the program in 2025. NIA provides intensive, tailored support to proven healthcare solutions, helping to accelerate their adoption and maximize their impact across the NHS. Awarded innovations concern e-Health, in-vitro diagnostic, gynecology, neuromodulation, and sustainability.

In March 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on alcohol-mediated perivascular renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension.

On March 6, 2025, NHS England released an annual update of the HRG4+ Local Payment Grouper for 2025/26, to come into effect on April 1, 2025. No new HRGs were added; the total number of HRGs has not changed (2,900).

On March 13, 2025, a major organizational reform was announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). It is planned to abolish the NHS England and reintegrate its functions into the DHSC. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate duplication between the two bodies, improve efficiency, and cut costs. The transition is expected to be completed within the next two years.

In February 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on intravascular lithotripsy during percutaneous coronary intervention. Furthermore, one clinical guideline was updated.

On February 17, 2025, the Clinical Coding and Schedule Development (CCSD) working group, which develops and maintains procedural and diagnostics nomenclatures for private payers in England, published Bulletins 200 and 096 with changes to be implemented no later than March 10, 2025. Thirty-five new procedure codes related to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nephrology, peripheral vascular, and general surgery areas and ten new diagnostic codes concerning in-vitro diagnostics, endoscopy, and pulmonology were introduced.