£10m boost for medical tech
GAME-CHANGING tech that could destroy cancers and predict diseases has been given a massive funding boost.
Eight companies will receive Government support as part of a £10million package for improving access to medical technology,
One device, by HistoSonics, aims to identify and destroy liver cancer tumours using focused ultrasound waves, which break down tumours without damaging healthy tissue.
It could improve quality of life for many patients – reducing hospital visits, post procedure complications and making pain management easier.
Roche Diagnostics Ltd has developed the Amyloid plasma panel, a blood test that could help clinicians decide if patients with cognitive impairment should undergo tests or imaging to confirm Alzheimer’s.
A portable blood test, from Up Front Diagnostics, could help paramedics identify stroke patients more quickly so they could be taken to a comprehensive stroke centre for immediate treatment.
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “These cutting-edge technologies could help thousands of patients with a range of conditions, including cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, while easing pressure on our hospitals and reducing healthcare inequalities.”
Innovation
Jeanette Kusel, director of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said: “Nice’s ambition is to drive innovation into the hands of health and care professionals to enable best practice in health and care treatment.We aim to bring the very best of innovation into the NHS and patients.”
OUR £10million in funding will help eight brilliant tech companies take their medical devices to the market.
These devices could help to transform the way we treat some of the biggest causes of death and disability.
Today’s announcement signals that the UK is a world leader in this space. That’s because every major player in the health system has come together to make it happen.
NHS England will advise these companies on how their devices can be rolled out in the health service.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will bring expertise in regulatory approval. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will shine a light on best practice and value for money.
Health Technology Wales and the Scottish Health Technology Group will also support the companies when it comes to crucial health tech assessments.
Patients have been at the heart of decision-making and they were involved in the selection of the final eight technologies. They will continue to be engaged throughout the development of the pilot.
Our investment in these pioneering companies is part of our long-term plan for a faster, simpler and fairer health care system.
The UK is bringing ideas to life, taking the output of some of the world’s most creative minds and putting it into the wards of our NHS.