The MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM) is a NHS Long Term Plan commitment to get selected NICE-approved cost-saving devices, diagnostics and digital products to NHS patients more quickly.
The policy supports devices, diagnostics or digital products that:
- are effective and improve patient outcomes: demonstrated through positive NICE guidance;
- are cost-saving within three years: NICE modelling demonstrates a net saving within three years of implementing the technology;
- are affordable to the NHS: the budget impact should not exceed £20 million, in any of the first three years.
Access the policy guidance.
The policy defines a list of NICE-approved technologies that NHS commissioners and providers are mandated to agree local funding arrangements for through their existing allocations. This is to ensure healthcare providers across England enable equitable access to patients.
The MTFM policy is an NHS England initiative, delivered with the support of the 15 heath innovation networks who work closely with their local Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
Providers wishing to implement any of the supported technologies, can contact their local AHSN for support.
Technologies included in the policy
The technologies included in the MTFM 2022/23 policy are categorised into the following two themes:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – a common condition in ageing men and others with a prostate (trans women, some non-binary and some intersex people). It is currently treated with the surgical procedure, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) which usually requires the patient to stay in hospital for 1 to 3 days. Four less invasive innovations allow patients with BPH to be treated as day cases.
Four technologies are an alternative treatment to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia:
- Greenlight XPS – uses a laser to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate.
- Rezum – uses water vapour to destroy excess prostate tissue.
- PLASMA System – uses electrodes to cut out prostate tissue.
- UroLift – lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, relieving the compression of this organ.
Improving the patient experience during procedures – using technology can provide alternatives to otherwise more invasive and costly procedures.
Three technologies are an alternative to more invasive procedures:
- Spectra Optia – apheresis and cell collection platform for people with sickle cell disease who require automated red cell exchange.
- XprESS Multi Sinus Dilation System – a sterile, single-use device for treating chronic sinusitis with a dilating balloon.
- Thopaz+ – a portable digital chest drain system which accurately monitors and records air leak and fluid drainage.
Technologies receiving continued support from the 2021/22 policy are:
- Placental growth factor based testing (PlGF) – a blood test to rule out pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.
- SecurAcath – for securing percutaneous catheters.
- HeartFlow – creates a 3D model of a patient’s coronary arteries and assesses the extent and location of blockages.
- gammaCore – a handheld device which alleviates the symptoms of severe cluster headaches.
Introducing the 22/23 MedTech Funding Mandate policy
Find out more about the MTFM and the individual technologies in this series of short films recorded at a briefing in March 2022. You can access the whole playlist on our YouTube channel.
Find out more
Providers wishing to implement any of the supported technologies, please contact your regional AHSN.
For more information about the policy, contact the innovation team in the AAC via AAC.innovation@nhs.net, including ‘MTFM’ in the subject line.
