The MMTSG has been established in accordance with the recommendation of the Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) Strategic Implementation Group (SIG). The Group will take forward SIG recommendations, NSR Innovation agenda for medical technology and provides a strategic forum for joint discussion of other issues of importance.
SIG was established for a period of two years to oversee HITF implementation. The main area of discussion concerned balancing NHS investment in new medical technologies with the need to secure best value for money. SIG published its report in March 2007.
'Strength and Opportunity : The landscape of the medical technology, medical biotechnology and industrial biotechnology enterprises in the UK' was launched on 10 December 2009. The report, the first of an annual series, presents a picture of the real strength in these sectors across the UK. see pdf file for full details.
A commentary on the report and background on the Bioscience and Health Technology Database can be found on the BIS website.
HITF came about because of the healthcare industries' wish to develop a strategic dialogue with Government. Launched in October 2003, it was a joint year-long initiative which addressed a number of issues of common interest and agree solutions or improvements that would bring benefits for patients, the NHS, the national economy and industry. Lord Warner, the then Health Minister, responsible for medical devices industry sponsorship, co-chaired the Task Force with Sir Chris O'Donnell, CE of Smith & Nephew.
The areas of focus were market access, R&D and the industrial base, regulatory issues and international trade. The central themes which emerged were how to stimulate innovation in the NHS and industry and how to increase adoption of new useful medical technologies.