Risks of poorly managed technology

Medical technology is changing rapidly, with continuous growth in the number of suppliers, while an increasing variation in makes and models of equipment is creating risks and opportunities for both public and private sector organisations. The medical technology market is estimated to be worth (annually) £150-170 bn worldwide.¹

The UK Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office both raised concerns regarding the NHS’s fragmented approach to buying/procuring high value capital equipment. With the NHS spending approximately £500m per year on capital equipment, the potential for savings was considerable.²

Issues raised from a number of sources show that uncontrolled healthcare technology management leads to poor purchasing decisions, and ultimately creates both financial and patient safety issues. The National Patient Safety Agency has previously identified uncontrolled purchasing and device management, in the absence of competency-based training, as contributing factors in causing incidents.³