MedTech Compass Initiative Issues 'Innovation Credentials' to Boost Medical Technology Adoption and Implement Value-Driven Purchasing Practices
The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is developing a digital platform called MedTech Compass, designed to serve as a "one-stop shop" for NHS hospitals. This innovative platform aims to showcase cutting-edge medical technologies, accelerate their adoption across the NHS, and provide a major boost to the Life Sciences sector [1][3].
The MedTech Compass platform will act as a hub, consolidating evidence and reducing repetitive administrative burdens for suppliers through an "innovator passport" system. This passport allows a technology that has been robustly assessed by one NHS organization to be more quickly and easily adopted by others, thereby cutting the time firms spend on submitting data multiple times [1][3].
The innovator passport is a key component of the government’s 10-year NHS health plan, which seeks to eliminate postcode lotteries in patient access to life-saving innovations and foster collaboration with the UK’s life sciences sector [1]. The passport will be implemented over the next two years to enable quicker rollout and wider availability of effective technologies through clear visibility and assessment on MedTech Compass [3].
However, the implementation of Value Based Procurement (VBP) via MedTech Compass may face challenges. These include administrative and bureaucratic inertia, alignment of value metrics, cost and investment hurdles, and stakeholder engagement [1][3]. Successful VBP depends on buy-in from suppliers, clinicians, procurement teams, and patients, and ensuring these groups trust and use the platform effectively can be challenging.
The new digital system is expected to allow new technology that has been robustly assessed by one NHS organization to be easily rolled out to others, improving patient care, reducing NHS costs, and delivering economic growth. For instance, the use of antimicrobial protective coverings for cardiac devices at Barts Health Trust in London has cut infections and saved over £103,000 per year [2].
The MedTech sector has expressed concern that the leading NHS procurement organization, NHS Supply Chain, may be institutionally reluctant to accept "real-world" data and case studies produced in NHS facilities with manufacturer support [2]. There is also frustration over the delay in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which is intended to support the sector [2].
In addition, the NHS and social care procurement system requires a paradigm shift, driven by early clinician input and patient consultation. Procurement in the NHS is often seen as a separate process, driven by the incentive to reduce purchasing expenditure, rather than driven by the incentive to secure improved patient experience and outcomes [2].
The Compass project is part of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, but the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which was intended to support the sector, has been delayed [1]. The article is published under the category "Insights".
Comments or questions about the author's use of AI in the preparation of this article can be directed to [email protected].
References: [1] Department of Health and Social Care. (2021). MedTech Compass: accelerating the adoption of innovative medical technologies across the NHS. Retrieved from
[2] NHS Confederation. (2021). Value-based procurement: a guide for NHS leaders. Retrieved from
[3] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2021). NICE and MedTech Compass: working together to assess the value of medical technology. Retrieved from
- The MedTech Compass platform aims to facilitate science and technology advancements in healthcare, serving as a platform for showcasing innovative medical technologies.
- The innovator passport system, a key component of MedTech Compass, encourages collaboration between the Life Sciences sector, businesses, and NHS hospitals for better patient care and health-and-wellness.
- The MedTech sector and clinicians have expressed concerns regarding the acceptance of real-world data and case studies, as well as the delay in the rollout of the Life Sciences Sector Plan.
- To overcome these challenges, the NHS and social care procurement system needs a paradigm shift, focusing on early clinician input, patient consultation, and a change in incentives from cost reduction to improved patient experience and outcomes.
