The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, published last Thursday, sets technology, prevention, and neighbourhood care at its core. Major healthtech and procurement reforms include a shift to value-based procurement, a new ‘innovator passport system’ to fast-track adoption, and significant expansion of NICE’s remit. Trusts will be required to demonstrate productivity improvements such as staff seeing more patients in order to access future technology funding. Funding will also be rebalanced to favour non-acute settings like mental health, primary care, and community services, aiming to correct historic underinvestment in these areas and prioritise digital transformation across the whole system.
HTA commentary in the news:
The Health Tech Alliance’s position on and recommendations for the plan were featured in multiple sector outlets covering the plan’s release, including:
Digital Health: Digital health sector reacts to NHS 10 year health plan
Med-Tech Insights: REACTION: NHS 10 Year Plan
Healthcare Today: Government releases 10 Year Health Plan – Healthcare Today
Intelligent Health: NHS 10-year strategy: Experts on the digital revolution and reimagining community-based healthcare
Key stakeholder reactions:
The plan has been generally well received, with NHS Supply Chain stating that they welcome the shift to value-based procurement, and that they are strategically aligned with the plan’s priorities. NICE also praised the plan, saying that the expansion of NICE’s remit in appraising devices and diagnostics will enable “better care, faster”. Meanwhile, The King’s Fund welcomed the ambition, but warned that successful delivery will greatly depend on adequate workforce and funding. Similarly, the Health Foundation warned that without fundamental financial reform, including better long-term budgeting, the plan’s ambitions will be difficult to deliver.