AAR online engagement reopens with launch of interim report
The second phase of engagement kicks off with Accelerated Access Review’s (AAR) interim report from independent Chair, Sir Hugh Taylor.
The interim report sets out Sir Hugh’s emerging thinking on speeding up access to transformative health technology that can help change the lives of NHS patients.
It sets out 5 propositions:
- putting the patient centre stage: patients should be given a stronger voice at every stage of the innovation pathway
- getting ahead of the curve: a radically new approach is required to accelerate and manage entry into our health system for emerging products which promise the most significant, potentially transformative impact in terms of patient benefit and overall value
- supporting all innovators: the end-to-end innovation pathway can, and should, be more responsive, particularly where this will contribute to better outcomes for patients and more efficient ways of delivering care
- galvanising the NHS: the NHS must be an active partner in promoting innovation and must be incentivised to adopt new products and systems quickly and effectively
- delivering change: building on existing structures the health innovation system needs to be streamlined at both local and national level
Sir Hugh Taylor said:
This report describes our progress in formulating proposals to improve the current system for developing, evaluating and adopting innovative medical technology for the benefit of patients, the health system and life sciences industry.
Informed by Professor Sir John Bell, Chair of the Review’s Expert Advisory Group, the report summarises what Sir Hugh and the AAR team have learned during the review’s first phase of engagement.
Sir Hugh said:
Thanks to an extensive response from our stakeholders, we have been able to develop several propositions which will form the basis of our next phase of engagement. I encourage all interested parties to contribute their views and help us create final recommendations for government.
The interim report was welcomed by Life Sciences Minister George Freeman MP, who said:
We live in an era of exciting medical innovation which offers amazing benefits for patients, NHS and social care staff, and industry. By capitalising on advances in digital diagnostics, health apps, and precision medicines, we can speed up the time it takes to get new drugs and treatments to patients.
Sir Hugh and the AAR team have set out the challenge and opportunity, and I very much look forward to their specific recommendations in the spring.
The propositions set out in the report will shape the debate for the next few months as the conversation with stakeholders reopens. The review intends to publish its final report with more detailed recommendations by April 2016.