HealthTech Connect Fully Launches
Following February's soft launch, the HealthTech Connect platform is now fully operational. Designed to identify and support health technologies as they move from inception to adoption, HealthTech Connect is a secure online system managed by NICE, with funding from NHS England. Read more here.
Formerly known as MedTechScan, HealthTech Connect is a direct response to the Accelerated Access Review’s recommendation for the NHS to develop an enhanced horizon scanning process. Created to provide a simple point of entry for support and national evaluation programmes, the system will help companies to understand what information is needed by NHS decision makers, and clarify possible routes to market.
Intended for HealthTech that offer benefits to patients and healthcare professionals, or system and resource improvements compared to those already offered by current practice, it will also enable transformative technologies to be fast tracked through relevant processes with the Accelerated Access Collaborative.
Whilst a positive step, the tool itself is only part of the solution and work to join-up processes between organisations will be critical to its success. Nevertheless, it is an excellent example of co-creation between ABHI, industry and national bodies, and the realisation of government policy in a practical, user-focused tool.
HealthTech Connect's Soft Launch At a glance
• Over 100 companies have registered to use HealthTech Connect
• 13 technologies have been submitted
• 11 teams from 9 approved accessor organisations are using HealthTech Connect to find out about health technologies
• 1 technology has already been selected by NICE for a Medtech Innovation Briefing.
An update on the system's impact will also be provided by NICE Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Dillon, at June’s UK Market Conference. Bookings for which are live.
