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MedTech Funding Mandate For Customers (Product Innovation)

In April 2021 the MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM) policy was launched to support adoption of MedTech and diagnostic technologies across almost 200 healthcare services. This fulfilled a commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan to support commissioners and healthcare providers to bring life-changing innovations to patients quicker with NHS Supply Chain as the preferred supply route.
The 2021/22 technologies will remain on the MTFM policy as long as they continue to meet the criteria set out in paragraph 17, supported by the published NICE guidance. The technologies supported in 2021/22 were:

  • gammaCore – a handheld device which alleviates the symptoms of severe cluster headaches
  • HeartFlow – creates a 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries and assesses the extent and location of blockages
  • Placental growth factor based testing – a blood test to rule out pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
  • SecurAcath – for securing percutaneous catheters.

On this page you can read an overview of the MedTech Funding Mandate and find out more about the products being supported in 2022 / 2023.

Four technologies are an alternative treatment to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia:

  • Greenlight – uses a laser to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate
  • Rezum – uses water vapour to destroy excess prostate tissue
  • Plasma System – uses electrodes to cut out prostate tissue
  • UroLift – lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, relieving the compression of this organ.

Three further technologies are an alternative to more invasive procedures to improve the patient experience:

  • XprESS Multi Sinus Dilation System – a sterile, single-use device for treating chronic sinusitis with a dilating balloon
  • Thopaz+ – a portable digital chest drain system which accurately monitors and records air leak and fluid drainage
  • Spectra Optia – for automatic red blood cell exchange in people with sickle cell disease

Unfortunately, NHS Supply Chain is unable to advise on commissioning or funding arrangements. For support regarding the implementation of the MedTech Funding Mandate, please contact your local Health Innovation Network (HIN) or NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Innovation Team via england.medtechfundingmandate@nhs.net.

See our Useful Links section to find the contact details for your regional HIN.

Latest News

The first new technology selected for support in 2024 / 2025 is AposHealth.

AposHealth is recommended as a cost-saving treatment for patients unsuitable for knee replacement surgery. See our Useful Links section to find out more about NICE Guidance MTG76, covering this particular innovation.

This is currently available via NHS Supply Chain and will be supported by the MedTech Funding Mandate policy from 1 April 2024.

About the MedTech Funding Mandate

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to accelerate the uptake of selected innovative medical devices, diagnostics and digital products to patients faster, by developing the MedTech Funding Mandate policy.

The proposal for this policy was consulted on in December 2019 by NHS England and NHS Improvement, with patient representatives, NHS providers, commissioners, charities, academics, delivery partners, consultants, independent health providers and industry. The MedTech Funding Mandate policy received strong support with clear recommendations on the criteria for inclusion technologies.

The MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM) launched on 1 April 2021 and in its first year (2021/22) supported four NICE-approved, cost saving technologies. Support for these technologies is continued in 2022/23 as supported technologies are reviewed annually to ensure that they meet the policy criteria.

To be considered for the MTFM 2022/23 policy, technologies needed to be:

  • Effective: demonstrated through positive NICE Medical Technology Guidance (MTG) or Diagnostic Guidance (DG), published by 30 June 2021.
  • Cost-saving within three years of implementation: as demonstrated by NICE modelling and published in a NICE resource impact template.
  • Affordable to the NHS: the total costs should not exceed £20 million in any of the first three years.

The technologies supported by the policy in 2021 / 2022

Expand each of the drop links to find out more about each of the products and how to order them.

gammaCore is a handheld device which provides non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS). It is intended for treatment of adults with primary headache, including migraine, cluster headache, and medication overuse headache.

It administers vagus nerve stimulation non-invasively by delivering a mild electrical stimulation through the skin to either the right or the left branches of the vagus nerve in the neck.

gammaCore differs from other vagus nerve stimulators in being applied to the skin of the neck rather than implanted by a surgical procedure.

The device is easy-to-use and patients can carry it with them so that they can use it regularly to prevent cluster headaches or when they feel one coming on.

I was an early adopter of gammaCore… It’s transformed what I do for patients… It’s reached my aim of managing to treat patients without giving them lots of tablets.

Dr Nick Silver, a neurologist from the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease and it is estimated that 2.3 million British people currently live with the disease*. Common symptoms of CHD include chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Some patients may have no symptoms.

The HeartFlow Analysis is an advanced test that uses the latest medical imaging technology and data analysis to show how each blockage impacts blood flow to the heart.

Use of HeartFlow streamlines the diagnostic experience for patients – often helping physicians eliminate invasive diagnostic procedures for those who do not need them. It also helps physicians swiftly and accurately diagnose those who do need invasive procedures. Use of the technology helps physicians reduce redundant non-invasive diagnostic testing, reduces patient time in hospital and face-to-face clinical contact, and helps ensure that hospital visits for those who do need them are streamlined, which is particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HeartFlow Analysis takes data from a coronary CT angiography (CTA) scan and uses deep learning technology and highly trained analysts to create a personalised, digital 3D model of the patient’s coronary arteries. Its algorithms solve millions of equations to simulate blood flow in a patient’s arteries to help clinicians assess the functional impact of any blockages.

If you have any questions about HeartFlow please contact:

Medical IT Team

medicalit@supplychain.nhs.uk

07730 206 350

*British Heart Foundation. (2018). CVD Statistics – BHF UK Factsheet https://www.bhf.org.uk.

We know that when we’re using this test [at our site] that around about one in four circumstances where we would have sent the patient for an invasive test, we have managed to avoid that.

Dr Tim Fairbairn, Consultant Cardiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Placental growth factor (PlGF) tests have been developed to help clinicians and midwives diagnose suspected pre-eclampsia (PE) in pregnant women and to assess the risk for complications associated with PE.

Quidel and Roche Diagnostics are the two suppliers selected under the MedTech Funding Mandate to provide these tests.

Roche Diagnostics – Elecsys sFlt-1/PlGF ratio test: The Elecsys ratio test measures two circulating placentally derived biomarkers; soluble FMS like Tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and Placental Growth Factor (PlGF). These biomarkers are detectable in the circulation of pregnant women and their levels are altered in PE; sFlt-1 becomes elevated and PlGF is decreased.

With the Elecsys test, the levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF are measured then converted into a ratio which can predict the women who will not get PE in the following seven days. The Elecsys test can be run on any Roche Elecsys or Cobas e automated analyser in a lab environment.

Quidel Corporation – Quidel Triage PlGF test: The Quidel Triage PlGF test is a quantitative immunoassay for the measurement of PlGF. Circulating maternal PlGF levels are abnormally low in pregnancies with defective placentation and the test is used to help detect abnormal placentation in pregnancies where there is clinical suspicion of preterm PE.

The Quidel Triage PlGF test is run on the Triage MetroPro analyser. It is positioned as either a point-of-care or lab-based test.

In my first two pregnancies I [was] constantly in and out of hospital as I had high blood pressure and protein in my urine, and, with my first, I was eventually diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. During my recent pregnancy I had some of the symptoms associated with pre-eclampsia again – high blood pressure, headaches, protein in the urine – but this time I had a simple and quick blood test. The test showed that I didn’t need to be admitted to hospital and I was able to go home and be with my family, with the peace of mind that I was okay.

Rebecca Sanderson, a patient who benefited from PlGF based testing

SecurAcath is a single-use device to secure percutaneous catheters in position on the skin.

It is intended for use in adults and children who need a central venous catheter (CVC). This is a long, thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein through the skin.

It is positioned so that the distal tip lies in a large central vein, usually the superior vena cava, right atrium or inferior vena cava

The benefits of using SecurAcath are:

  • One SecurAcath secures for the life of the line
  • Dramatically reduces catheter dislodgement and migration
  • Catheter remains secure during dressing changes
  • Decreases catheter replacement costs
  • Reduces catheter related infections and other complications
  • Prevents therapy interruption
  • Allows easy catheter repositioning if catheter tip must be pulled back
  • Improves vessel health and preservation
  • Lowers total costs of patient care.

The cost savings are quite noticeable and come from reducing the need to replace lines and no longer needing to double-dress the area. The reliability and the impact this has on patient care is the most important factor, which is why I’m such an advocate

Carol McCormick, Clinical Interventions Lead Nurse, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Due to Aquilant Limited no longer having the distribution rights to provide SecurAcath Fixation Devices, the products are no longer available for purchase through NHS Supply Chain from January 2024. They are still available to purchase directly from Vygon UK Ltd.

The technologies supported by the policy in 2022 / 2023

Expand each of the drop links to find out more about each of the products and how to order them.

The UroLift system lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, relieving the compression of this organ. It can be performed under local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting or ambulatory care centre, and the patient can return home the same day without a catheter.

GreenLight XPS: The GreenLight XPS vaporises prostatic tissue with a laser. The laser fibre is passed through a cystoscope to photoselectively vaporise the enlarged prostate tissue, leaving a clear urethral channel. GreenLight XPS can be done as a day case procedure, reduces the risk of complications, and allows a quicker return to normal activity.

  • Green Light XPS (MPC) 0010-0210S-G0

In order to purchase this equipment via the NHS Supply Chain framework agreement please contact a
member of the Team for a unique order reference number.

Decontamination Team

endodecon@supplychain.nhs.uk

0113 385 4878

The unique order reference number should be quoted on the purchase order raised
with the supplier and will ensure that the purchase is covered by the terms and
conditions of the framework agreement.

This pricing will not be valid without an NHS Supply Order reference number.

Rezum is a minimally invasive procedure that uses water vapour (steam) to treat BPH. The technology delivers targeted, controlled doses of stored thermal energy in water vapour directly to the region of the prostate gland with the obstructive tissue causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Rezum effectively alleviates BPH and patients can be treated as outpatients.

PLASMA is a bipolar electrosurgery system for transurethral resection and haemostasis of the prostate. The system uses electrodes to cut out (resect) prostate tissue and stop any local bleeding afterwards (haemostasis), which avoids the risk of transurethral resection syndrome and reduces the need for blood transfusion. This procedure can be done as a day case.

  • Plasma System – ESG-410 Electrosurgical Generator (MPC) WA91307

In order to purchase this equipment via the NHS Supply Chain framework agreement please contact a
member of the Team for a unique order reference number.

Medical Devices Team

medical.devices@supplychain.nhs.uk

The unique order reference number should be quoted on the purchase order raised
with the supplier and will ensure that the purchase is covered by the terms and
conditions of the framework agreement.

This pricing will not be valid without an NHS Supply Order reference number.

The XprESS multi-sinus dilation system is a sterile, single-use device for treating chronic sinusitis. Dilation of the XprESS balloon remodels the bony sinus outflow tract by displacing adjacent bone and paranasal sinus structures. This has the potential to reduce the tissue lost compared to traditional functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) procedures.

  • Xpress Multi-Sinus Dilation System 5x20mm (MPC) LPLF-105-I
  • Xpress Multi-Sinus Dilation System 6x20mm (MPC) LPLF-106-I
  • Xpress Multi-Sinus Dilation System 7x20mm (MPC) LPLF-107-I
  • Xpress Multi-Sinus Dilation System 5x8mm (MPC) LPLF-205-I
  • Xpress Multi-Sinus Dilation System 6x8mm (MPC) LPLF-206-I

In order to purchase this equipment via the NHS Supply Chain framework agreement please contact a
member of the Team for a unique order reference number.

Radiotherapy team

radiotherapy@supplychain.nhs.uk

0113 385 4865

The unique order reference number should be quoted on the purchase order raised
with the supplier and will ensure that the purchase is covered by the terms and
conditions of the framework agreement.
This pricing will not be valid without an NHS Supply Order reference number.

Thopaz+ is a portable digital chest drain system that provides regulated negative pressure close to the patient’s chest and continuously monitors and records air leak and fluid drainage. The system comprises an inbuilt, regulated suction pump with a digital display, rechargeable battery, tubing that connects to any standard chest drain catheter and a Thopaz+ disposable fluid collection canister. Sensors in the system turn the pump on and off to ensure the pressure level set by the healthcare professional is precisely maintained.

The Spectra Optia Apheresis System is an apheresis and cell collection platform for the treatment of sickle cell disease. In a typical exchange procedure, Spectra Optia separates and removes sickle red blood cells from the patient’s blood using continuous flow and centrifugation. These are replaced with healthy red blood cells according to the user-defined software protocol.

This technology is not available from NHS Supply Chain, please contact england.medtechfundingmandate@nhs.net for further guidance.

The technologies supported by the policy in 2023 / 2024

Expand each of the drop links to find out more about each of the products and how to order them.

AposHealth is a non-invasive device worn on the feet to reduce pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The device consists of a pair of AposHealth shoes with two curved pods (pertupods) on the heel and forefoot of each shoe. The pertupods are securely attached to tracks on the bottom of the shoe with screws. Positioning of the pertupods is done by trained healthcare professionals and can be aided by gait analysis software or hardware.

How is NHS Supply Chain involved?

NHS Supply Chain is the preferred supply route for these products. Each of the products can be ordered through our Online Catalogue and Ordering system.

If you do not currently purchase products through our route then you will need to be set up with an account. See our Useful Links section for information on how to create an account.

Should you have any patient safety or complaints related to one of the MedTech Funding Mandate products purchased through NHS Supply Chain, please complete our Products Complaints Form.