NHS to Launch 'Innovator Passport' to Streamline Medical Technology Adoption

NHS hospitals will be able to access medical innovations approved anywhere across the health service under new government plans designed to save money and reduce waiting times. The "innovator passport" scheme, to be detailed as part of Thursday's 10-year plan for the NHS, will allow new technologies approved by one trust to be used by all others across England's 215 NHS trusts.

Currently, each NHS trust must rigorously assess and approve any new piece of equipment or technology — such as new wound dressing materials or rapid flu-testing kits — before implementation in its hospitals or clinics. This duplicative process has created significant administrative burden and delays in bringing innovations to patients.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the passport scheme, which will be provided by MedTech Compass and introduced over the next two years, will remove what it describes as "needless bureaucracy" that consumes both time and money. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to revitalise the struggling health service, which has been battling rising waiting times and falling public satisfaction despite receiving an ever-rising budget from central government.

"For too long, Britain's leading scientific minds have been held back by needless admin that means suppliers are repeatedly asked for the same data in different formats by different trusts — this is bad for the NHS, patients and bad for business," said Health Secretary Wes Streeting. "These innovator passports will save time and reduce duplication, meaning our life sciences sector — a central part of our 10-year health plan — can work hand-in-hand with the health service and make Britain a powerhouse for medical technology."

The scheme also addresses concerns about postcode lotteries in healthcare provision, ensuring patients across England have equal access to approved innovations regardless of their location. However, implementation challenges remain. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, noted that not all NHS organisations were at the same stage of digital maturity, "so this will affect their ability to either innovate or implement preapproved innovation in this passport model".

Taylor called the initiative a "positive step" but cautioned that "it will be vital to ensure that important compliance processes are also kept in place to safeguard clinical and patient safety, data protection and strict Medtech regulation". Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, welcomed the measures, stating: "We welcome any measures which cut red tape and help trusts get proven and effective technology on to the frontline faster to boost patient care and free staff from time-consuming admin."

Click here for the original news story.