MTG calls to action
Improving Quality
NICE quality standards should ensure appropriate use of medical devices wherever the technology has previously been recommended in NICE guidance.
The Government should work with industry and patient organisations to expand PROMs and develop new PROMs questions on patient choice, access to devices and shared decision making. Better choice and information.
Commissioning guidance published by the NHS Commissioning Board for CCGs on how to discharge their commissioning functions must highlight the societal and economic benefits of appropriate medical technologies to patients.
The Department of Health must implement initiatives in the innovation review such as the web portal for innovation in the NHS to make sure that better information is available to increase patient choice when it comes to treatment therapies and medical devices.
Primary and secondary care clinicians must ensure that they keep up to date with new treatments and medical devices in order to offer their patients choice and better commission appropriate care.
Investment based on value
In 2012, NICE reviewed its ‘Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal’ and considered the incorporation of wider non-health impacts; NICE’s remit should be reformed to include an evaluation of the wider societal costs and benefits of technologies.
In accordance with the commitment in the NHS Operating Framework 2012/13 the Government should extend the ‘best practice tariff’ scheme to incentivise the use of more medical devices, ensuring that commissioning decisions are based on value to patients and improved health outcomes.
The Department of Health Procurement strategy must ensure that purchasing decisions are based on value, cost-effectiveness of devices and quality outcomes – not just the lowest price.
Improving access
The Government should set up a survey to monitor and evaluate progress in the use of medical devices compared with leading international comparators, and to monitor and evaluate health related outcomes.
There must be robust oversight of the right in the NHS Constitution to start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks from referral for non-urgent conditions to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce further costs to the NHS and society.
Waiting times for elective procedures should decrease continuously compared with the previous year.
In line with Government commitments in the NHS Operating Framework 2012/2013 decisions on appropriate treatment should be made in line with best clinical evidence. Commissioners must ensure all patients are seen and receive access to appropriate treatment and cost-effective medical technologies on the basis of clinical need, with no blanket bans or unjustified non-clinical barriers to treatment.
The Government’s commitment in the Department of Health Innovation Review to introducing a NICE compliance regime to ensure patient access to technologies recommended in NICE technology appraisals must be met.
Involvement of clinicians and patients
Clinical Commissioning Groups will be under a duty to seek out and adopt best practice and promote innovation; CCGs must be held to account for their performance against this duty.
The Department of Health should ensure that all niche and speciality commissioning by the NHS Commissioning Board is properly informed by clinical experts and up-to-date performance data. All specialist information should be easily accessible and widely available to commissioners.
