NHS patients nationwide will get accelerated access to cutting edge technology through a new digital system that promises to cut red tape and boost life sciences.
A new so-called ‘innovator passport’ is set to introduced over the next two years, and will allow new technology that has been assessed by one NHS organisation to be easily rolled out to others.
The move is a part of the government’s Plan for Change and 10 Year Health Plan, which lays out the government’s plans to future proof the NHS service.
This latest innovation from the government aims to give NHS patients more effective treatments and quicker support.
The new passport is set to eliminate multiple compliance assessments, reducing duplication across the health service. It will be delivered through MedTech Compass, a digital platform developed by the Department of Health and Social Care.
“For too long, Britain’s leading scientific minds have been held back by needless admin that means suppliers are repeatedly asked for the same data in different formats by different trusts – this is bad for the NHS, patients and bad for business,” said Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
“These innovator passports will save time and reduce duplication, meaning our life sciences sector can work hand in hand with the health service and make Britain a powerhouse for medical technology.”
The hope is that this new system will accelerate the roll-out of new health technology seen in some NHS trusts natiownwide.
One such example is the use of antimicrobial protective coverings for cardiac devices that have been successfully used at Barts Health Trust in London, which has cut infections and saved over £103,000 per year.
Dr Vin Diwakar, clinical transformation director at NHS England, added: “The new innovator passports will speed up the roll-out of new health technology in the NHS which has been proven to be effective, so that patients can benefit from new treatments much sooner.”
The passports mean that once a healthcare tool has been assessed by one NHS organisation, further NHS organisations will not be able to insist on repeated assessments.
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