Innovator Passports Set to Accelerate Cutting-Edge NHS Care
A groundbreaking new digital system will slash red tape and give NHS patients across the country faster access to cutting-edge technology, under the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.
The introduction of ‘innovator passports’ – set to roll out over the next two years – will allow new medical technologies and treatments, once rigorously assessed by one NHS organisation, to be more easily adopted across the entire health service. This major reform is a central part of the government’s Plan for Change, designed to empower patients, streamline care, and create an NHS fit for the future.
For years, innovative companies have been deterred from working with the NHS due to slow processes and repetitive compliance assessments. Innovator passports remove these barriers, reducing bureaucracy and speeding up the rollout of proven health technologies. This not only benefits patients, who can access advanced treatments sooner, but also strengthens the UK’s life sciences sector, supporting economic growth and advancing the government’s industrial strategy.
The new system will function as a ‘one-stop shop,’ where a thorough assessment by the NHS allows companies to get to work quickly. This ensures patients benefit from faster access to effective treatments, while NHS resources are used more efficiently. Technologies already demonstrating significant impact include special wound dressings, which have reduced surgical site infections by 38% at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals, and antimicrobial protective coverings for cardiac devices at Barts Health NHS Trust, saving over £103,000 annually. Rapid influenza testing at University Hospitals Dorset has also reduced bed days and antibiotic use, freeing vital resources.
Innovator passports will eliminate multiple, duplicate assessments across the NHS, cutting down bureaucracy and accelerating adoption. This initiative will be delivered through MedTech Compass, a dynamic digital platform developed by the Department of Health and Social Care to make effective medical technologies visible and accessible to NHS buyers. By consolidating information and evidence in one place, MedTech Compass allows healthcare organisations to compare products side-by-side and make faster, more informed decisions.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said:
“For too long, Britain’s leading scientific minds have been slowed by unnecessary administrative hurdles. Innovator passports will save time, reduce duplication, and enable our life sciences sector to work hand in hand with the NHS, making Britain a global leader in medical technology.”
Dr Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, added:
“From smartwatches to fitness trackers, technology improves lives every day. Innovator passports will ensure NHS patients benefit from the latest medical innovations faster, transforming patient care and supporting the UK’s life sciences ambitions.”
By streamlining adoption and reducing repeated assessments, the new system ensures that proven healthcare technologies can reach patients across the country without delay. Innovator passports mark a transformative step for NHS innovation, patient care, and the growth of Britain’s life sciences sector, ensuring the health service is prepared for the challenges of the future.
