New NICE standards to improve digital health tech uptake

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published new standards setting out the requirements needed to develop digital health technologies for the NHS, to accelerate uptake of products like healthcare apps and wearable devices.

Multiple recent surveys, such as a Roche investigation that revealed 82% of ‘Generation Z’ want to see the NHS introduce digital solutions, are showing the digital revolution is rapidly evolving, with new technologies such as apps and wearable devices emerging at a fast pace.

To keep up with this evolution, NICE has created a set of standards to help developers and investors understand what evidence is required to introduce their product for use in the NHS.

The proposed standards cover both the clinical and economic impact of the new technology, and what evidence is needed to develop a case for use by the health service.

They also equip commissioners with knowledge of what to ask for from technology developers, and understand what to expect in return, enabling the health and care system to identify which products show promise, which ones need further development, and which ones are unsuitable.

Working collaboratively NHS England, NICE, NHS Digital, MedCity, Public Health England and Digital health London have been engaging with industry, commissioners and innovators to understand what is required for health technology to thrive in the UK, helping provide guidance on what evidence is needed when innovators present new digital products to NHS commissioners.

Alexia Tonnel, NICE evidence resources director, said that the 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."

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