Speeding innovation adoption in the NHS

Patients expect the NHS to provide emerging, transformational innovations as soon as they become available and for health outcomes to keep pace with those of other countries. However, an independent review of innovative medicines and medical technologies acknowledges that the UK lags behind other countries in the adoption of innovation. 

To address this issue, the Government appointed Sir Hugh Taylor, chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, to oversee a review of ‘how the UK could speed up access to innovative drugs, devices, diagnostics and digital products’, in November 2014. The Accelerated Access Review has now published its final report, having sought the views of over 600 people and organisations – ranging from clinicians, NHS commissioners, patient groups and charities, to the life sciences industries, academia and national bodies that influence the innovation pathway.

The report comments that accessing innovation in the NHS has become increasingly challenging. This creates frustration for clinicians and patients who often have to wait for life-saving treatment, and for innovators who must navigate multiple processes before their products can be used. Developed in partnership with the Wellcome Trust, the review recommends the creation of a new accelerated access partnership to speed up and simplify the process for getting the most promising new treatments and diagnostics safely from pre-clinical development to patients.