MedTech Funding Mandate

The MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM)

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.

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 health innovation networks who work closely with their local Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).

Access policy guidance

2022/23 technologies

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.