New standards setting out the requirements needed to develop digital health technologies for the NHS were published today, Monday 10 December 2018. The standards will accelerate the uptake of products like healthcare apps and wearable devices across the NHS.
The digital revolution is rapidly evolving and new technologies such as apps and wearable devices are emerging at a fast pace. These standards help developers and investors understand what evidence is required to introduce their product for use in the NHS.
Working collaboratively NHS England, NICE, NHS Digital, MedCity, Public Health England and DigitalHealth.London have engaged with industry, commissioners and innovators to understand what is required for health technology to thrive in the UK. The resulting standards support digital health technology development and provide guidance on what evidence is required when innovators present their products to NHS commissioners.
Digital technology increasingly plays a key part in everyday life and they are now using these tools to help diagnose, treat and monitor their health. This will radically change the way care is planned, provided and received. It is vital, therefore, to make sure that the appropriate standards and guidance are in place to ensure digital innovators are given the support they need.
The new standards address both clinical and economic impact and as well as identifying the evidence needed to develop a case for use in the NHS. The standards also equip NHS commissioners with details of what tp ask for from technology developers and understand what to expect in return. This will enable the health and care system to identify which products show promise, which need further development and remove those that are unsuitable.
NICE are interested in hearing your views on the evidence standards framework. They are running a feedback survey on the standards until Monday 7 January 2019. Tell NICE what you think in their short survey.
Alexia Tonnel
Evidence Resources Director, NICE
“The new standards will make it easier for innovators and service commissioners to understand what a good level of evidence for new digital products looks like. This will enhance understanding between innovators and healthcare commissioners; supporting the way in which promising, value driven technologies are introduced into the NHS for the benefit of clinicians and patients.”
Dr Indra Joshi
Digital Programme Clinical Lead, NHS England
“Harnessing new digital technologies could help the NHS provide better care for patients and empower them to take more control of their own health and care. The NHS needs to be sure any new digital tools are backed by appropriate evidence and these new standards, developed in partnership with NHS bodies, industry and academia, will be the start of that dialogue of defining what “good” looks like in digital health technologies.
The Digital Health Evidence project, led by NHS England, NICE, Public Health England, MedCity and DigitalHealth.London, aims to develop digital evidence standards to address and streamline support on this issue.
Article Source: DigitalHealth.London
