Volume 1

The use of new medical technologies within the NHS : fifth report of session 2004-05 / House of Commons, Health Committee.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Health Committee.
Date:
2005
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: The use of new medical technologies within the NHS : fifth report of session 2004-05 / House of Commons, Health Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    e more informed, efficient procurement e better communication with patients and the public on the valuable role played by healthcare products in our daily lives e a new data collection system to gain a clearer picture of the industry and its performance. 47. The Device Evaluation Service, currently part of the Medicines and - Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), evaluates medical devices and equipment used for pathology, diagnostic imaging, life support and assistive technology”. The aim is to provide independent and impartial advice to inform purchasing decisions and encourage the safe use of medical devices based on technical assessment and user comments. The DES “is of particular interest to anyone involved in the purchase, management or use of medical devices.” It enables users to select the most suitable devices for their needs, provides information to purchasers of supplies and encourages the safe use of equipment. The Service also contributes to the improved equipment design and performance of medical devices.*! 48. The HITF report recommended that the DES should move from the MHRA to the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency with effect from 1 April 2005. Sir Christopher O’Donnell told us that the DES was being moved to PASA “to make it an integral part of that service, so that it gives the service the ability actually not just to make unit-cost based decisions but to look at how value and innovation can be brought to bear.”® The role of the DES would then be to inform procurement decisions, and encourage and support the uptake of useful, safe, innovative products and procedures used in health and social care. It would: e develop a new device evaluation service to integrate and strengthen horizon scanning, and the assessment of value and effective performance of new and enhanced healthcare technologies, devices and related procedures; e develop nationally accepted methodologies and toolkits for device evaluation that can be used locally to ensure consistency of approach whilst facilitating decision-making at the appropriate level; | e and consider how best to ensure speed of evaluation, a ‘once only’ approach and prompt sharing of outputs with stakeholders throughout the health and social care system and industry.® 49. The Department informed us that the new DES would be at the hub of a wide-ranging network, joining industry with NHS clinicians and purchasers, with access to expertise in the field.®* Sir Christopher O’Donnell said: “a company brings something that is a product *° Assistive technology - Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. *' Device Evaluation Service Information, http://www.medical-devices.gov.uk/mda 62 Q 64 °? Better health through partnership: a programme for action, Healthcare Industries Task Force, November 2004, p 1 SEVIS