In March, NHS England organised a series of webinars explaining the Innovation Technology Tariff. For anyone unable to take part in these, additional webinars have been scheduled throughout May 2017.
These sessions are an excellent opportunity to find out more about the uniqueness of this tariff model, which aims to offer a streamlined route to reimbursement without the need for multiple price negotiations, and should cut the difficulties quite often experienced by clinicians in uptake and spread.
The Webex sessions are scheduled for:
- 2 May – 1100-1200 join the meeting
- 4 May- 1200-1300 join the meeting
- 9 May-1100-1200 join the meeting
- 17 May- 1030-1130 join the meeting
- 24 May- 0930-1030 join the meeting
Through the Innovation and Technology Tariff (ITT), NHS England plans to fast-track the introduction of six new types of medical technology products and apps during 2017/18. Launched on 1 April 2017, the ITT removes the need for multiple local price negotiations and guarantees automatic reimbursement.
For five of the above NHS England will centrally pick up the costs, where these have been incurred in line with requirements about use. The sixth innovation is an alternative to existing surgical procedures, and is already funded as part of tariff calculations.
The innovation categories are:
- Guided mediolateral episiotomy to minimise the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury
- Arterial connecting systems to reduce bacterial contamination and the accidental administration of medication
- Pneumonia prevention systems which are designed to stop ventilator-associated pneumonia
- Web based applications for the self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Frozen Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection rates
- Management of Benign prostatic hyperplasia as a day case (purchased through National Tariff).
Separately from the tariff, NHS England is centrally funding the purchase of mobile ECG technology, which will be managed through the AHSN Network.
NHS England is keen to encourage the adoption and spread of the technologies featured on the ITT. During these one-hour WebEx events in May, Robert Chesters from NHS England’s Innovation and Research Unit will discuss:
- The Programme themes
- The guidance document
- The role of the CSU
- Procurement and Supplier flows
- Reimbursement and reporting flows
- Payment of suppliers
- Questions and answers.
Posted on April 18, 2017