Medical Equipment: Technology

For medical technologies, value to the National Health Service is assessed through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) independent, evidence-based evaluation processes. NICE assesses whether a technology offers benefits and value for money compared with current practice, considering clinical effectiveness, safety, cost effectiveness, resource use, patient and system outcomes, uncertainty in the evidence, and wider issues such as health inequalities. NHS England and the Department then use NICE guidance, alongside evidence of system need and alignment with national priorities, to support commissioning, procurement, and adoption decisions. The appropriate assessment or adoption route may vary depending on the strength and maturity of the evidence base.

To support the assessment of value, the Department is publishing Value Based Procurement Standard Guidance. The guidance will provide NHS contracting authorities with a standard methodology for assessing value. Non financial value is grouped under the following domains: social value; efficiency; patient and staff; supply chain; and purpose. When using the methodology, contracting authorities will choose relevant domains based on the medical technology product they are procuring. The non-financial value should be weighted at a minimum of 60%, including the mandated 10% on social value.

The Department has also updated the assessment process for assessing medical devices available for prescribing in the community. This updated assessment rewards evidence of product effectiveness, supporting self-care, supporting system savings, and reducing inequalities. However, prescribers and local decision‑makers consider value at a local level, with varying criteria. For example, they may take into account individual patient needs, clinical judgement, and real-world experience of the technology.