Ringfenced funding for medical devices is urgently needed to help transform the health service and clear the COVID-19 backlog, say leaders of Medical Technology Group (MTG), which is campaigning for better patient access to world-class medical technology on the NHS.
MTG chairman, Barbara Harpham, told BBH: “Why is there no scheme, similar to the Innovative Medicines Fund, to ensure long-term investment in medical technology for the NHS?
“The MTG has long called for better funding of transformative medical device treatments, yet there is still a funding gap for ensuring this on the NHS.”
She added: “Last September, the Government announced it would aim to provide £36billion over the next three years for innovation and new technology aimed at tackling the crisis of waiting lists on the NHS.
A Medical Devices Fund that values long-term investment will help the Government achieve its ambitious plans to clear the backlog, level up quality of care across the country, and ensure NHS patients have timely and equitable access to the most-pioneering medical technology in the world
“We saw this plan continue to come to fruition this week with the latest round of £680m in funding for the Innovative Medicines Fund.
“While this is fantastic news for patients on NHS waiting lists awaiting life-saving and life-enhancing treatment; we now need a similar ‘Medical Devices Fund’ for medical technology.”
At present, there is no ringfenced funding for the uptake of medical technology, meaning patients are losing out on backlog-busting innovation that will see world-class technology diagnose, treat, and return them to normal life as fast as possible.
Harpham said: “A Medical Devices Fund that values long-term investment will help the Government achieve its ambitious plans to clear the backlog, level up quality of care across the country, and ensure NHS patients have timely and equitable access to the most-pioneering medical technology in the world.”
