Tech Industry Group Advocates for Implementation of Value-Based Purchasing Strategies via Recently Unveiled Guideline
The Health Tech Alliance, an informal coalition of health technology companies and stakeholders, has published a comprehensive report titled "Unlocking innovation: recommendations for transforming NHS health tech procurement." The report outlines key recommendations to revolutionise the way the National Health Service (NHS) acquires and implements health technology.
The recommendations focus on creating a more streamlined, transparent, and innovation-friendly procurement system. One of the primary objectives is to simplify and streamline NHS procurement processes, reducing bureaucratic complexity and fragmented pathways that currently hinder the adoption of innovative health technologies.
The report also emphasises the importance of prioritising the adoption of proven health technologies that improve patient outcomes and deliver cost savings to the NHS. To achieve this, the recommendations suggest implementing standardised value-based procurement guidance for devices and digital products, which is planned to start early in 2026 as part of a broader 10-year health plan.
Another key aspect of the recommendations is the creation of a procurement system that actively supports innovation. This includes improving the efficiency of procurement processes to ensure that new technologies can be more quickly adopted and integrated into NHS services.
The report brings together the voices of clinicians, industry, and NHS leaders to provide a clear and practical roadmap for procurement reform, prioritising high-impact technologies, delivering more value, and ensuring better care for patients.
Other recommendations include creating a central portal and knowledge hub to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovators. The report also suggests enhancing early engagement and knowledge sharing across NHS organisations.
The report's publication comes at a time when there is a need for reform in NHS procurement to drive the adoption of life-improving innovation across the health service. With the NHS standing at a critical juncture, with unprecedented and growing pressures on health services, the unlocking of health tech innovation potential is more important than ever.
To facilitate this, the report recommends investing in education and training to support a culture of innovation and value-based decision making in NHS procurement teams. Additionally, ring-fencing innovation budgets at trust and Integrated Care Systems (ICS) level is suggested to ensure that resources are dedicated to driving innovation and improving patient care.
Finally, the report stresses the need for improving coordination and consistency across Integrated Care Systems to reduce fragmentation and spread best practice. By implementing these recommendations, the goal is to drive sustainable transformation within the NHS by leveraging health tech to enhance patient care and long-term value for the health service.
- The Health Tech Alliance's report, "Unlocking innovation," proposes the implementation of a procurement system that not only supports innovation but also actively encourages it, with a focus on technology from science and health-and-wellness sectors.
- To streamline the adoption of health-tech innovation, the recommendations in the Health Tech Alliance's report suggest investing in education and training for NHS procurement teams, establishing innovation budgets, and improving coordination across Integrated Care Systems.
