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<p>The Government is working with NHS England and partner organisations across the
health system to develop a standardised methodology, to assess the full value of medical
technologies. This initiative underlines our commitment in the Medtech Strategy, published
in February 2023, ensuring the right product, in the right place, at the right price.
The methodology will seek to look beyond upfront cost to consider patient outcomes,
whole system costs, supply resilience, and the environmental impact when procurement
decisions are being made.</p><p> </p><p>The methodology will provide a consistent
approach to assessing value, and will be implemented at both the national and local
level. This approach aims to ensure that procurement decisions support both short-term
efficiencies and long-term benefits, drawing out the value to patients and the healthcare
system. The Government appreciates contributions from the industry and procurement
communities, and will invite stakeholders to provide feedback on the initial proposal
in due course.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of implementation, we will look to align and
integrate this initiative with NHS England’s Central Commercial Function's ongoing
work under their strategic framework, which aims to create commercial playbooks for
standardising practices and processes across the National Health Service.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding
the specific point raised around absorbent continence products, the Disposable Continence
tender is due to be issued to the market later this year. To ensure that the NHS’s
requirements are considered during the procurement process, NHS Supply Chain is undertaking
significant engagement across the health and social care system. This includes customers
in the acute and wider community setting, suppliers, trade associations, professional
bodies, and end user reference groups, to understand their requirements from a commercial,
value, sustainability, and supply resilience perspective.</p><p> </p><p>NHS Supply
Chain is currently working with suppliers of disposable continence products to understand
the value-based procurement and sustainability offerings on the purchase of continence
products. NHS Supply Chain has identified a trust who are committed in supporting
us in understanding this value in the form of a pilot study, and potential case study.
More information can be provided once these studies have been finalised and confirmed.</p>
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