ABHI Welcomes Move Towards A HealthTech Passport Model
In our 2024 Manifesto: The Plan for HealthTech, we called for the NHS to move towards a “passport” model that would allow proven solutions to be easily disseminated at pace and scale.
In advance of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan publication, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today confirmed it will introduce innovator passports, a new initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of HealthTech across the NHS. Further details are available here.
The programme is currently at an early development phase, and, when ready, will be delivered through the new “MedTech Compass” platform. Over the next two years, the intention is for innovator passports to create a single, robust assessment recognised across the NHS, with MedTech Compass effectively becoming the central digital hub for making these solutions visible to buyers.
Though there is still work to be done to bring this ambition to life, this announcement marks an important commitment to tackle longstanding challenges, including repeated local assessments and duplication that slow the spread of proven solutions, and fragmented pathways that have too often discouraged HealthTech companies from engaging with the NHS and instead gaining traction in other markets.
ABHI is actively campaigning to ensure the platform incorporates key frameworks such as DTAC and relevant regulatory and procurement information, so it can truly deliver on its promise to reduce burden and speed up access.
We see this as a major opportunity to help shape a system that supports innovation, improves patient care, and strengthens our sector’s contribution to the economy. We will keep you updated on engagement opportunities and next steps as this work progresses.
