The core mission of the MTG is to ensure patients can access the lifesaving medical devices they need. The MTG believes patient access should governed by what you need, not where you are. However, inequitable access is becoming more and more of a challenge as NHS budgets are constrained.

To demonstrate the extent of the problem, the MTG has established Ration Watch, an online resource which will showcase evidence of rationing of NHS treatments across England. Ration Watch is highlighting the impact of rationing and the damage it does to patients and the NHS. Through raising awareness of this issue, we hope to drive NHS leaders to do more to ensure patients do not face a postcode lottery in accessing lifesaving and enhancing medical technology.

Ration Watch 2022: Defeating the backlog

With more than 5 million people on elective procedure waiting lists in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the key challenge for NHS England is how it ensures patients have access to the correct treatment as quickly as possible.

Looking at patient referral data from NHS England between July 2021 and March 2022 for all completed pathways, as well as specialised treatment areas including general surgery, cardiology and orthopaedics, the MTG reveals the best performing regions in England and shares some examples of best practice.

Read our report. 

Ration Watch 2019

The MTG’s investigation, conducted in October 2018, revealed that CCGs across the country were rationing access to proven treatments by including them on lists of restricted treatments or by applying high thresholds. Often these treatments can make a significant difference to patients’ quality of life and deliver savings to the NHS in the long run.