Morning, Thursday, 22nd May 2025
Online
This conference will assess key issues for the future direction of the UK Medtech sector, including opportunities for driving innovation, improving market access, and achieving effective adoption of new technologies within the NHS.
Areas for discussion include what is needed to align regulatory, procurement, and funding frameworks to enable investment and deliver patient and system-wide benefits.
It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to consider next steps in light of policy developments including the forthcoming Life Sciences Strategy and updates to the Medical Devices Regulations. The evolving approach to procurement is expected to be a central theme, including implementation of value-based procurement and the role of the NHS Innovation Ecosystem Programme in improving collaboration between industry, regulators, and healthcare providers.
We expect discussion to bring out stakeholder perspectives on embedding VBP within NHS procurement structures, including potential concerns that cost remains the dominant factor in purchasing decisions, despite policy commitments to prioritise system-wide value and patient outcomes. Further discussion is expected on how regulatory clarity and procurement alignment can better support SMEs and innovators in bringing new technologies to market.
Further sessions will examine priorities for investment in medtech manufacturing and research to support the UK’s health and economic resilience, including allocation of funding under the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund and strategies to strengthen NHS-industry partnerships. Delegates will also assess the role of AI in diagnostics and patient care, and how procurement and regulatory frameworks can better facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies across the NHS.
With the agenda currently in its drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- regulatory framework and policy direction:
- alignment of the UK’s Medtech Strategy with the forthcoming Life Sciences Strategy - potential updates to the Medical Devices Regulations
- implications of MHRA reforms for industry and patient access
- VBP implementation:
- assessing progress on embedding within NHS procurement structures - addressing challenges in shifting from cost-based to system-wide value assessments
- supporting clinician engagement and uptake, and integration into decision-making
- procurement and market access:
- views on impacts of the Procurement Act 2023 on Medtech adoption - strategic considerations for balancing NHS cost efficiency with support for SMEs and innovators
- the role and next steps for the new procurement dynamic purchasing system
- investment in UK Medtech:
- assessing the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund in effectively supporting sector growth
- funding allocation for Medtech within wider life sciences investment - balancing Industrial Strategy aims with patient outcomes
- regulation and global competitiveness:
- addressing industry concerns relating to UK regulatory uncertainty - international product recognition and improving market attractiveness
- key considerations and latest thinking on effectively balancing patient safety with faster approvals and innovation adoption
- innovation:
- AI progress and next steps for integration in diagnostics, patient care and NHS workflows - regulatory and procurement considerations - addressing challenges for adoption
- opportunities for achieving improved diagnostics, patient outcomes, and workforce capability - skills development and engagement with patients and staff
- ensuring patient needs remain central to innovation and Medtech adoption - role of engagement in defining value beyond procurement metrics - avoiding over-reliance on technology
- NHS-industry collaboration: Medtech adoption pathways - strategies for aligning NHS needs with industry innovation - strengthening partnerships and support for scale-up and commercialisation
- skills and culture: fostering NHS workforce readiness for Medtech adoption - addressing concerns about slow uptake and risk aversion - improving innovation management and decision-making
- sustainability: impacts of NHS targets on Medtech investment decisions - balancing environmental policy with sector growth and product affordability - practicalities for achieving 2045 timing
