MedTech Funding Mandate Policy released by NHS England – launches 1 April 2021

As part of the commitment of the NHS Long Term Plan (2019) to support faster and wider sustainable adoption of proven and affordable innovations, a new policy (MedTech Funding Mandate), was published in January.

This policy outlines how providers and commissioners can accelerate the use of NICE-approved, clinically, and cost-saving medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.

The policy details the responsibilities of providers and commissioners and the necessary steps they will need to take in order to implement technologies and plan future contracting arrangements.

For 2021/22, it comprises four technologies: placental growth factor based testing (PlGF), SecurAcath, HeartFlow FFRCT and gammaCore. Further technologies will be added annually. Some of the technologies in Year 1 have already been already adopted by Trusts across England, including Wessex, through the NHS England Innovation Technology Tariff / Payment (ITT/ITP) programme.

The central funding mechanism for all products on the ITT/ITP programme will end on 31st March 2021, with the qualifying technologies effectively ‘transitioning’ over to the MTFM, supporting long term use.

You can download the MTFM policy and Wessex has also developed a supporting briefing document for local use. The briefing aims to introduce the policy, but also make practical next steps clear.

Both the policy and briefing contain detail of how Wessex AHSN can support both providers and commissioners with policy interpretation, implementation and transition from ITP to the MTFM. Details of AHSN support available is specifically referenced in the Guidance (paragraph 64 and 86 onwards).

Locally, Joe Sladen has been leading on the work for Wessex AHSN. Joe and his team are currently already engaging directly with those across Wessex already using the technologies and needing to transition their funding mechanism.

If you wish to find out more, or engage on a specific area, please contact him directly.