Health authorities in Nice initiate discussions on revised Health Technology Programme Instruction Manual
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced significant revisions to its HealthTech program manual, aiming to introduce more structure in late-stage technology appraisal and strengthen stakeholder participation.
The key updates in the revised manual include the formalisation of methodologies for producing guidance and changes particularly concerning late-stage assessments (LSA) and stakeholder engagement. These changes are part of NICE's effort to accelerate the adoption of promising health technologies while maintaining rigorous, collaborative evidence evaluation processes within the NHS context.
The manual revision formalises the methodologies the HealthTech programme will follow in its evaluations and guidance development, enhancing clarity and structure in the appraisal process. This includes a major update involving the introduction of formal LSAs, which form part of the streamlined pathway for technologies nearing full evaluation, focusing on consolidated evidence appraisal before recommendation decisions.
Stakeholder engagement has been emphasised and formalised earlier and more systematically in the assessment process. This ensures inclusive involvement of manufacturers, clinical experts, and other relevant stakeholders throughout the evaluation stages. The revised manual combines previous fragmented approaches into a harmonized process, improving transparency and stakeholder interaction opportunities during technology appraisal and evidence generation periods.
While details such as precise procedural changes in LSA or new engagement mechanisms are not fully disclosed in summarized sources, the overall thrust is toward greater structure in late-stage technology appraisal and strengthened, formalized stakeholder participation in the NICE HealthTech programme.
The NHS 10 Year Plan commits to early adoption and roll-out of MedTech, but the specific approval pertains to robotic surgery systems, not specified further. The consultation for these changes will run for 5 weeks, ending on 4 September 2025, providing an opportunity for industry to shape the future direction of the program.
An article titled "MedTech in the UK and EU: What to Expect in 2025" is available in "Medical Device Manufacturing Insights". However, it's important to note that this article is not related to the consultation or the update to NICE's HealthTech program manual.
Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation, reported on this consultation. It's also worth mentioning that Chris Whitehouse is an advisor to MedTech suppliers, but he did not write this article.
For those interested, the consultation can be found at the following link: [Consultation Link]
This news marks an exciting development in the field of health technology and NICE's commitment to maintaining a robust, collaborative, and transparent evaluation process for promising technologies within the NHS.
Science and technology advancements in health and wellness sectors are receiving significant focus, as evidenced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) revising its HealthTech program manual. The changes aim to streamline late-stage technology appraisal and boost stakeholder participation, including formalized stakeholder engagement in the assessment process.
The announced policy-and-legislation changes within the NICE HealthTech program also coincide with the NHS 10 Year Plan, which emphasizes early MedTech adoption. This opens up a platform for politics and general news discussions, as industry players can influence the direction of these programs through consultations like the one running until 4 September 2025.
The evolving state of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness technology in the UK and EU is a topic of ongoing interest, especially in light of the upcoming changes. For comprehensive insights, one can refer to "Medical Device Manufacturing Insights," though it's crucial to distinguish between sources like this and specific consultation details provided in links such as [Consultation Link].
