Bringing innovation to the NHS
Innovation is critical in improving patient outcomes, meeting the needs of our customers, delivering financial benefits, and supporting sustainability goals to achieve Net Zero targets.
NHS Supply Chain works in partnership with NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the Health Innovation Network (HIN) to introduce new technologies and innovations into the NHS that deliver demonstrable benefits for patients and healthcare professionals.
Our role is to provide the final step in bringing innovative products to market through a legally compliant procurement route, ensuring these products are readily available across the NHS.
Our focus areas – we are committed to:
- A standardised and recognised approach
– applying a consistent and transparent process for assessing and adopting innovation. - Clear procurement pathways
– providing efficient and compliant routes for innovative products to enter the NHS. - Quality and value assurance
– ensuring that all products meet rigorous standards for safety, quality and cost-effectiveness. - Value Based Procurement (VBP) opportunities
– identifying solutions that deliver improved patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, pathway‑level savings, and sustainable benefits that support long‑term value across the health system. - Effective product filtering
– avoiding duplication by filtering products that offer the same function and outcomes as those currently available. - Aligned classification framework
– all products reviewed are classified in line with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Medical Technology Innovation Classification Framework, ensuring consistency and clarity in innovation categorisation.