The Government has today announced funding of up to £86 million as a first step in taking forward the Accelerated Access Review. The funding is split into four packages:
- £39 million of funding to the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), to assess the benefits of new technologies and support NHS uptake of that that deliver real benefits to patients according to local need.
- £35 million Digital Health Technology Catalyst for innovators – which will match-fund the development of digital technologies for use by patients and the NHS.
- Up to £6 million over the next 3 years to help SMEs with innovative medicines and devices get the evidence they need by testing in the real-world, building on existing opportunities such as the Early Access to Medicine Scheme (EAMS).
- £6 million Pathway Transformation Found to help NHS organisations integrate new technologies into everyday practices – which will help overcome more practical obstacles such as training staff on using equipment.
Commenting, Health Minister Lord O’Shaugnessy said: “The government’s ambition is that NHS patients get world-leading, life-changing treatments as fast as possible. That can’t happen unless we support medical innovation and tear down the barriers – like speed to market and access to funding – that can get in the way, especially for SMEs. Our investment in innovation shows how much we value the UK life sciences sector.”