An HSJ and Edwards roundtable looked at why the NHS is considered a slow adopter of innovative technologies and how to overcome the barriers to greater uptake
The NHS is seen as being a slow adopter of innovations with technologies often taking a decade or more to filter through into general use.
While there may be some arguments for taking a cautious approach, this can mean the benefits are denied to many patients and clinicians feel frustrated by not having access to cutting edge technologies.
An HSJ roundtable brought together those affected by this – whether clinicians, patient groups or those involved in spreading innovative practice – to talk about why this happens and how some of the barriers to greater uptake can be overcome.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation – TAVI – is a procedure introduced more than a decade ago but still in limited use in the NHS, despite the evidence that it has good results especially in patients who are high risk for cardiac surgery.
It served as an example of the challenges new technologies can face throughout the debate.
Panel
- Amanda Begley, director of innovation and implementation, UCLPartners and national director, NHS Innovation Accelerator - chair
- Professor Simon Ray, joint clinical lead for cardiology, Getting it Right First Time
- Wil Woan, chief executive, Heart Valve Voice
- Baroness Judith Jolly, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson in the House of Lords
- Phil Lewis, head of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular, NHS Supply Chain
- Dr Mick Ozkor, consultant cardiologist and clinical director, North Middlesex University Hospital Trust
- Professor Ben Bridgewater, chief executive, Health Innovation Manchester
- Dr John Rawlins, consultant interventional cardiologist, University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust
- Andrea Rappagliosi, vice president for market access and public affairs, Edwards Lifesciences
