Yesterday, NICE announced the launch of the new National HealthTech Access Programme, which aims to give patients across England and Wales faster and fairer access to high-impact medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.
The National HealthTech Access Programme, formerly called the Rules-Based Pathway, has been jointly developed by NICE, DHSC, NHSE, MHRA and OLS. It will expand NICE’s Technology Appraisals programme to cover selected health technologies. As with medicines, a small number of clinically and cost-effective technologies will be routinely reimbursed and made available across the NHS. The programme forms part of a strategic open innovation approach to Health Tech, as outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan.
NICE has confirmed that the first two topics for consideration under the programme are:
- Capsule sponge tests for detecting Barrett’s oesophagus and early oesophageal cancer
- AI tools to support the detection of prostate and breast cancer through analysis of tissue samples
Ministers have also referred two further topics to NICE, subject to further evidence. These include technologies to improve the detection of endometrial cancer in women with unexplained vaginal bleeding, and AI tools to help analyse chest X-rays for suspected lung cancer in primary care referrals
You can read more about the National HealthTech Access Programme and NICE’s wider plans in the announcement here.