The UK government has unveiled a new ‘innovator passport’ initiative designed to streamline the adoption of cutting-edge medical technology across the National Health Service (NHS). This move is part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and Plan for Change, aiming to create an NHS fit for the future.
The innovator passport, set to be introduced over the next two years, will allow medical technology that has been rigorously assessed by one NHS organization to be easily adopted by others. This digital system is expected to significantly reduce the red tape that has previously hindered the rollout of innovative treatments and technologies.
For too long, businesses have been deterred from working with the NHS due to slow timelines and excessive bureaucracy. The new system will enable companies to collaborate with the NHS more quickly, benefiting both patients and the healthcare service. A ‘one-stop-shop’ thorough check by the NHS will allow businesses to get to work faster, delivering effective treatments and support to patients more rapidly.
The initiative has the potential to boost the Life Sciences sector, a key component of the government’s industrial strategy. Treatments such as special wound dressings, which have already shown a 38% reduction in surgical site infections at Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals, could be more widely adopted. Other examples include antimicrobial protective coverings for cardiac devices used at Barts Health Trust in London, which cut infections and saved over £103,000 per year.
The innovator passport will be delivered through MedTech Compass, a digital platform developed by the Department of Health and Social Care. This platform will make effective technologies more visible and widely available, eliminating the need for multiple compliance assessments and reducing duplication across the health service.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasized that the new passports will save time and reduce duplication, enabling the life sciences sector to work closely with the NHS and establish Britain as a powerhouse for medical technology. Dr. Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, noted that the initiative will speed up the rollout of proven health technology, allowing patients to benefit from new treatments sooner.
The introduction of the innovator passport is a crucial element of the government’s Plan for Change and its 10 Year Health Plan, which aims to transform healthcare delivery and create an NHS fit for the future. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and making it easier for trusts to find, assess, and adopt proven technologies, the NHS can improve patient care while making the most of its limited resources.
