The Medical Technology Group (MTG) is the only UK coalition of patient groups, research charities, and medical device companies. We work together to ensure appropriate and timely patient access to medical technology on the NHS.

The group benefits from a wealth of experience of working with the NHS and its associated bodies to promote access to medical technologies. We deliver reports and insight into the importance of patient involvement, improving the spread and adoption of medical  technologies across the country, and ending inequalities in access to treatment.

We work as a key partner in the NHS’s journey to harness the potential of innovation and technology in transforming its services, supporting clinicians, and driving better outcomes for patients.

Our Mission

Medical technology is vital for transforming the NHS to build a health service fit for the future. It facilitates the transition to a prevention-based model of care, drives efficiency and savings, improves patient safety, helps tackle the elective backlog of care, and supports patients in returning to work and everyday life.

Despite this, the potential of medical technology is not being realised. The past few years have been extremely challenging for the NHS, and unfortunately, ensuring patient access to the right technology and innovation has not received the necessary attention.

The NHS now lags behind other comparable countries when it comes to adoption of medical technologies for three main reasons:

1. The lack of a single pathway and clear reimbursement route is preventing the spread and access of the latest medical technologies on the NHS
2. The NHS and government prioritise cost and savings, as opposed to value and impact for patients
3. There is no unified approach when it comes to spread and adoption of medical technology across the NHS, leading to unequal access, postcode lotteries for care, and poorer patient outcomes

Getting the patient voice heard

The MTG also plays a vital role in ensuring that patients’ voices are heard in decisions about medical technology within the NHS.

Patients have first-hand experience of their conditions, and are best placed to determine how medical technologies can help them manage pain, maintain independence, and improve their quality of life.

The MTG provides a platform for patient representatives to communicate their needs directly to medical technology manufacturers, ensuring their experience helps shape device development.

Through regular engagement with clinicians, policymakers, public bodies, and parliamentarians, the MTG also works to improve understanding of patient priorities and ensure they are considered in NHS and policy decisions.