> HTW renews MoU with Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee
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16 December, 2022

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HTW renews MoU with Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee

An illustrative graphic with people around a screen with mapHTW has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC).

The two organisations have worked successfully in partnership since 2019  to support the appraisal and adoption of non-medicine health technologies for health and care systems in Wales.

Health Technology Wales is a national body set up in 2017 to work with partners across health, social care and the technology sectors in the identification, appraisal, and adoption of new health technologies.

It is funded by Welsh Government and hosted within NHS Wales, but is independent of both. HTW’s remit covers any health or care technology that isn’t a medicine, such as medical devices, surgical procedures, psychological therapies, or tele-monitoring.

WHSSC uses Health Technology Wales’ published guidance and Health Technology Assessments (HTA) to inform its decisions and commissioning of specialised non-medicine technologies for patients in Wales.

As a Joint Committee of the seven Local Health Boards in Wales, WHSSC has delegated responsibility to commission a range of specialised services on their behalf. It ensures access to safe, effective and sustainable specialised services for the people of Wales. The organisation also reduces duplication and enables there to be consistency in the services available across Wales.

The aim of the partnership is to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Enhanced access to respective centres of excellence, national and international experts and networks.
  • Shared learning and knowledge exchange to inform developments in care systems and a reduction of duplication.
  • Economies of scale and scope in non-medicine HTA and commissioning efforts.
  • Collaboration on horizon scanning activities.
  • Personal and professional development for staff.

Andrew Champion, “We very much look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Health Technology Wales.  Our shared goal is to ensure that the people of Wales have access to the most clinically and cost effective specialised non-medical technologies available.

This partnership provides a great opportunity to share knowledge, ensure rapid topic referral of new technologies for appraisal and enable greater access to experts that can help to support our commissioning decisions.”

Dr Susan Myles, director of Health Technology Wales, added: HTW Director, Dr Susan Myles, added:

“Working in collaboration with partners across health and social care is key to ensuring our work has a positive impact on health and care services in Wales.

“Our partnership with WHSSC is invaluable in ensuring our appraisal work and the national guidance we publish supports decisions on the commissioning of specialised services in Wales.”