AHSNs launch report aiming to accelerate medtech entries

The AHSNs in partnership with the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) has launched a report of the medtech landscape aimed at accelerating the entry, adoption and spread of innovations for the benefit of patients and commercial success.

The report has identified that in addition to securing finance and supporting policy there is a need for practical advice and support to help the industry thrive.

Piers Ricketts, vice-chair of the AHSN Network and chief executive officer of the Eastern Academic Health Science Network said: “The health and science infrastructure in the UK is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities for economic growth and improved patient outcomes created by medtech. However, there is a risk of companies getting lost as they navigate the innovation maze. Within this report we have set out how, as a network, we can help developers navigate through a medtech innovation pathway to support patients, clinicians and UK plc.”

The report uses the network’s understanding of the NHS ecosystem to outline how technologies need to be incorporated into a much wider service redesign in order to demonstrate impact and value. It highlights an integrated approach necessary to supporting medtech innovations, including checklists and practical steps for each aspect of the pathway, including creation, development, regulation, evaluation, market access, commissioning and adoption.

Richard Phillips, director of healthcare policy, ABHI, said: “The potential of cutting-edge technologies to support preventative, predictive and personalised care is huge and the UK has the chance to lead the world. We have the opportunity to build an ecosystem that continually creates the best technology that can be exported, alongside new methods and insights that can contribute to health outcomes globally.”

Medtech is a high growth sector for the UK with a 17% increase in jobs over the past 10 years, and now accounts for 40% of life science jobs in the UK.

Successive improvements in national policy have helped to support the sector, including the commitments in the Accelerated Access Review and recent NHS Long Term Plan to create a new funding climate.