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The UK Government has published its ‘Rewiring the State’ policy paper, setting out plans to reshape the structure of central government while devolving more decision-making to regional and local leaders. The reforms, which will be introduced over the course of this Parliament, are intended to create what the government describes as a stronger strategic centre while giving greater responsibility to local institutions for driving economic growth and public service delivery.
The proposals form part of the government’s wider ambition to devolve more decision making from central government to regional and local institutions. For organisations working across the health and care sector, the reforms could have important implications for how services are planned, funded, and influenced in the years ahead.
Among the headline changes is the creation of No.10 North, which the government describes as the new “engine room” for devolution and local economic growth. A new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) will also bring together No.10, No.10 North, and core Cabinet Office functions supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the Department for Business and Trade will be renamed the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), with responsibility for science and innovation moving into the department. The existing Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will be dissolved, with its responsibilities redistributed across government to better align technology and innovation with wider economic and public service priorities.
For the health and care sector, the policy paper places significant emphasis on further devolution and place-based decision making. Central to these proposals is the government’s ambition to establish strategic authorities across England. These regional bodies are intended to make it easier to devolve powers from Westminster while bringing together responsibilities across areas including transport, housing, skills, economic development, health, wellbeing, and public service reform. They will complement, rather than replace, existing local councils.
As part of these reforms, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) will be aligned with the boundaries of strategic authorities by the end of this Parliament. Where there are strong financial, strategic, or operational reasons, ICBs may instead align with the boundaries of multiple strategic authorities. The government says this will better align NHS planning with wider regional priorities and support more joined-up public service delivery.
The proposals also include greater alignment and pooling of funding for preventative services, with funding devolved, where possible, to enable strategic authorities and constituent local authorities to invest jointly in local priorities while continuing to meet national standards.
The policy paper also signals a change in how the government intends to develop policy. It proposes replacing the current model of “consultation by default” with new approaches to public participation, including reviewing where statutory consultation requirements could be removed and placing greater emphasis on engagement through local leaders and communities.
For organisations that routinely contribute to government consultations, these proposals could represent a significant change in how policy is influenced. While further detail is expected, businesses may increasingly need to engage through new forms of public participation, stronger relationships with regional and local leaders, and trade associations as routes for engaging with government, rather than relying solely on formal consultation exercises.
Looking ahead, the government has confirmed that, alongside this autumn’s Budget and fiscal devolution roadmap, it will publish a whitepaper setting out the full programme of reforms, including legislation, the alignment of public service boundaries, the transfer of additional powers and functions, and a timetable for implementation developed in partnership with mayors and local leaders. The whitepaper is expected to provide greater detail on how these reforms will be implemented and what they will mean for organisations operating across the health and care sector.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has brought Baroness Louise Casey’s review of adult social care forward by a year, as he set out an ambition to establish a national care service and argued that reform is essential to reducing pressure on the NHS.
In a speech delivered on 29 July, the Prime Minister criticised successive governments for failing to resolve the long-standing challenges facing social care.
He described Parliament’s failure to address the issue as a “major dereliction of public duty”, adding: “It’s shameful, to be honest, that politicians have put point scoring before fixing this issue.”
The Prime Minister said an estimated two million adults in England currently have unmet care needs. He also highlighted the financial impact on people and families, saying: “Hundreds of thousands of pounds can just disappear, paying for care.”
He added that adults with disabilities can face “very unfair care charges just to live their life”.
Announcing that Baroness Casey’s independent review would be accelerated, the Prime Minister said the government wanted its findings within a year. The review will consider how England could deliver a national care service that is person-centred, preventative, and closely integrated with the NHS.
Explaining the ambition, the Prime Minister said: “We need to talk about a system that can become highly integrated with the NHS.”
The relationship between social care and NHS performance was a central theme of the speech. The Prime Minister said 13,600 people had recently been deemed medically fit for discharge but were unable to leave hospital, describing the figure as an average across the month in England.
“There is just no way that we can restore the NHS to the standards that we would all want to see without fixing this issue,” he said.
The announcement follows the government’s original plans for an independent commission on adult social care. In January 2025, BHTA welcomed the ambition to create a national care service but raised concerns about the timetable for reform and called for earlier action.
Responding to the speech, David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), said: “Bringing Baroness Casey’s review forward is a welcome recognition of the urgency of social care reform. The Prime Minister is right that the future of social care and the future of the NHS cannot be considered separately.
“A national care service must support prevention, independence, and person-centred care. Healthtech and assistive technology providers have practical expertise in helping people remain independent, supporting timely hospital discharge, and reducing avoidable pressure on NHS services. BHTA and its members are ready to work with the government to help address these challenges and support meaningful social care reform.”
The collapse of NRS Healthcare in August 2025 was one of the most significant disruptions the community equipment and Technology Enabled Care (TEC) sectors have faced in recent years. The newly released NRS Market Failure: Lessons Learned Review sets out how the failure unfolded, how the system responded, and what must now change to protect services that people rely on to live independently and safely at home.
The review, commissioned by Partners in Care and Health and delivered by John Campbell, ARCC., makes clear that NRS’s collapse was not caused by a single event. It reflected a combination of structural pressures, including weak financial resilience, rapid expansion, unsustainable pricing models, insufficient oversight, the impact of a major cyber-attack in 2024, and leadership instability.
As one of the largest suppliers in the market, NRS’ failure created immediate risks to continuity of care, hospital flow, equipment supply and user safety.
For BHTA members, the report is particularly important because it recognises the central role of the wider supply chain. Manufacturers, distributors, service suppliers, TEC organisations, and SMEs were all affected. Some suppliers were left carrying significant unpaid debts, while the wider market has had to absorb rapid changes in demand, risk, and operating expectations.
BHTA CEO, David Stockdale, said: “We welcome this important report and thank the Local Government Association, Partners in Care and Health, ADASS and everyone involved for the considerable work that has gone into reviewing the lessons from the NRS market failure. The findings rightly recognise that community equipment services are critical to the health and care system and that a more resilient, sustainable approach is needed. We now have a real opportunity to turn these lessons into meaningful action. BHTA and our members stand ready to work with commissioners, government and partners across the sector to help deliver the reforms needed to strengthen community equipment services for everyone who relies on them.”
Community equipment must be treated as critical infrastructure
The report’s central message is that community equipment and TEC are not peripheral services. They are essential infrastructure within health and social care. They support hospital discharge, prevent avoidable admissions, enable independent living, reduce pressure on unpaid carers, and help people remain safe at home. When they fail, the consequences are felt across the whole system.
BHTA strongly supports the report’s call for a shift away from short-term, cost-driven procurement towards models that properly recognise value, resilience, quality, and outcomes. Too often, procurement has prioritised lowest price over long-term sustainability, innovation, and service resilience. The review warns that thin margins, rigid contracts, and limited transparency can undermine the stability of services that are vital to people’s lives.
The market needs stronger oversight and earlier warning systems
One of the most significant lessons is the need for better market oversight and early warning systems. Warning signs were visible before NRS entered liquidation, including supplier payment delays, stock availability issues, performance deterioration, and growing financial pressure. However, these indicators were not consistently captured, shared or escalated.
The review recommends stronger mechanisms for commissioners to gather intelligence from suppliers, prescribers, and frontline practitioners, including confidential reporting routes and routine supply chain monitoring. It also identifies a role for sector bodies, including BHTA and TSA, in supporting market intelligence, escalation and constructive sector dialogue.
BHTA welcomes this recommendation and stands ready to help create safe, structured channels for early warning and engagement.
Data access and continuity planning must be strengthened
Data access was another serious barrier during the NRS collapse. Commissioners and incoming suppliers often lacked complete and accurate information about service users, equipment locations, maintenance histories, and planned preventative maintenance. Future contracts must ensure commissioners can access essential operational data quickly and safely in the event of supplier distress or failure.
Suppliers and commissioners must work in partnership
A further theme is that arms-length contract management is not sufficient for services of this importance. Outsourced models can work well, but only where they are based on partnership, transparency, realistic pricing, and active oversight. Commissioners and suppliers must work together earlier and more openly when designing services, testing assumptions and assessing financial viability.
BHTA’s role
The review acknowledges the positive role played by BHTA and TSA during the response to the NRS failure, particularly in bringing stakeholders together, sharing information, and supporting suppliers affected by the disruption.
The BHTA will continue to work with members, commissioners, local authorities, NHS partners, ADASS, PCH, TSA, and government to help turn the lessons from this review into practical action and to support the development of a more resilient and sustainable market.
A moment for reform
The NRS failure was a disruptive and difficult time for all involved. However, it also provides an important opportunity to rethink how community equipment and TEC services are commissioned, governed, and supported.
The review is clear that without reform, the system remains vulnerable to future provider failure.
Community equipment and TEC services play a vital role in prevention, independence, hospital discharge, and integrated care. They must be commissioned and managed as essential services, with the right balance of quality, resilience, innovation, and value.
BHTA stands ready to work with partners across the sector to help turn the lessons from this review into practical action.
Read the full report online here
Following Andy Burnham taking office as the UK’s Prime Minister, Tendo has produced a guide introducing the key figures in his Cabinet and the priorities expected to shape the UK Government.
The guide examines Burnham’s first days in office, highlighting the themes set out in his speech outside 10 Downing Street, including economic stability, housing, public services, and a more collaborative approach to government. It also outlines machinery of government changes, including the merger of the Department for Business and Trade with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to form the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Tendo’s guide profiles senior Cabinet ministers, outlining their political backgrounds, departmental responsibilities, and likely policy priorities. Among the ministers featured are Chancellor John Healey, who will play a central role in delivering the Government’s economic agenda, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who will help shape the UK’s industrial and trade strategy, and Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper, whose department will be central to NHS reform and the future of health and social care. The guide also covers ministers leading departments with particular relevance to the health and care technology sector, including health and social care, business and trade, and work and pensions, alongside other key portfolios across government.
For businesses across the health and care technology sector, the guide provides a practical introduction to the ministers, departments, and policy priorities likely to influence the UK Government’s agenda over the coming months.
BHTA members can read Tendo’s guide below to gain a clearer understanding of the new Cabinet, its key appointments, and the policy direction likely to shape the operating environment for the sector.
The BHTA’s Scrap the Heart Restart Tax campaign has reached a significant milestone after being featured in The Guardian, bringing its call to scrap VAT on public automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to a national audience.
The article highlights the campaign’s message that removing the 20 percent VAT charged on public AEDs, replacement pads, and batteries would make it easier for businesses, charities, sports clubs, and community organisations to install and maintain these life-saving devices.
It also draws on campaign figures showing the scale of the challenge. According to the Scrap the Heart Restart Tax campaign, more than 16 million people in England and Wales live over a 1km round trip from their nearest publicly accessible, 24-hour defibrillator, while 35 million people are not within the recommended three-to-five-minute brisk walk of one.
Speaking to The Guardian, BHTA Chief Executive David Stockdale said: “Where you live can still determine whether you survive a cardiac arrest. Defibrillators save lives, yet millions of people remain too far from one when every minute matters.”
Led by the BHTA and supported by members of its First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) and Defibrillator Section, the campaign argues that removing VAT would help more communities invest in life-saving equipment and improve access where it is needed most.
The campaign has already built momentum through its parliamentary launch and by contributing to the wider conversation on defibrillator access, including last year’s parliamentary debate.
Coverage in one of the UK’s leading national newspapers represents another important step forward for the campaign, helping raise awareness of the case for removing VAT on public AEDs and bringing the issue to a wider public audience.
Following Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has called on the new government to provide the stability, predictability, and long-term direction needed by companies supplying healthcare and assistive technology across the UK.
In his first speech outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister reflected on the political change experienced by the country over the past decade and identified restoring stability as an immediate priority.
He said the government would introduce a new political and economic model, with a greater emphasis on collaboration, devolution, public control of essential services, and support for British industry through public procurement.
The Prime Minister also said he would bring forward a ten-year plan for Britain later in 2026.
He committed the government to developing a more preventative state, with investment intended to help people live well and reduce the longer-term financial and social costs associated with poor outcomes.
Responding to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the British Healthcare Trades Association, said:
“On behalf of BHTA and its members, I congratulate Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister.
“Healthcare and assistive technology companies need stability and predictability from government so they can plan, invest, and innovate over the medium to long term. A consistent policy and regulatory environment is essential for businesses supplying vital products and services across health and care.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s focus on prevention and using public procurement to support British industry. BHTA looks forward to working constructively with the new government to ensure our sector’s knowledge and experience inform future policy.”
The Prime Minister has also made a series of ministerial appointments relevant to BHTA members.
Yvette Cooper has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Care, including oversight of NHS delivery, performance, and social care policy.
Jonathan Reynolds has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, while Angela Rayner has been appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
John Healey has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking responsibility for economic and fiscal policy, taxation, public spending, productivity, and the government’s growth programme.
The UK Government’s consultation on powered mobility devices has prompted renewed discussion across the mobility sector about whether existing legislation reflects modern technology and the needs of wheelchair users.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) spoke with Karen Pearce, Chair and Co-Founder of the Wheelchair Alliance, about why she believes prescribed powered wheelchairs require a different regulatory approach, and what should happen next.
The consultation on the laws surrounding powered mobility devices has now closed, marking the latest stage in the UK Government’s review of legislation that has its roots in the 1970 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act and the 1988 Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations.
The BHTA encouraged members to engage with the consultation and continues to contribute to wider discussions on the future of powered mobility regulation. BHTA’s full response to the consultation is available upon request; BHTA members can download it here.
Karen’s response reflects the perspective of wheelchair users, while recognising there may be different considerations for mobility scooters and other powered mobility devices.
She states: “The wheelchair is not an optional form of transport; it is, in essence a person’s legs.” Karen believes that distinction should shape future regulation.
Karen says the government’s first step should be a simple but symbolic change: “One quick win would be to address the unacceptable terminology (‘invalid carriage’) and replace this across all relevant legislation with, for example, ‘essential mobility device'”.
She also believes the sector needs greater certainty about how the review will progress.
“State a timeframe and commitment for delivery of change. Currently the confusion within Government is delaying important delivery of policy with the risk of the progress to date being kicked into the long grass.”
For manufacturers, retailers, healthcare professionals, and users alike, the next stage will be less about identifying the issues and more about understanding how government intends to respond.
One area where the current framework appears to have struggled to keep pace with modern powered mobility is the current “not in a class” categorisation.
“It discriminates against wheelchair users of all ages needing larger powered devices/power add-ons, leaving them unable to leave their homes if the letter of the law is adhered to.”
The Wheelchair Alliance believes prescribed powered wheelchairs should be exempt from this category altogether. Unlike many other powered mobility devices, they are supplied following specialist clinical assessment, are already regulated through medical device legislation, and are supported by evidence relating to manufacturers’ safety and performance claims. In Karen’s view, that distinction justifies a different regulatory approach.
She also believes the current classification creates unnecessary uncertainty for wheelchair users.
“The ambiguity currently in place causes wheelchair users significant concern. They worry they are breaking the law, they are unsure where they are permitted to travel, and are limited in a way that other pavement and road users are not.”
The alliance has raised the issue directly with Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, requesting that prescribed powered wheelchairs are exempt from the current “not in a class” category.
Karen believes the same principle should apply to other aspects of the legislation. Rather than introducing additional licensing requirements or restrictions for wheelchair users, she argues that prescribed powered wheelchair users should simply be subject to the same laws governing speed, safety, and behaviour as other road and pavement users.
In addition, Karen thinks the current laden weight limits no longer reflect modern prescribed powered wheelchairs. Under the existing legislation, devices exceeding 150kg, or 200kg where additional medical equipment is attached, may fall into the “not in a class” category.
The alliance has proposed increasing the limit to around 450kg. The Transport Research Laboratory’s work on creating an integrated micromobility framework may suggest a higher weight limit. However, the alliance is taking a pragmatic approach.
She argues any increase should also prompt a review of environmental barriers, including ramp tolerances and accessibility standards, rather than expecting wheelchair users to adapt to infrastructure designed primarily for able-bodied people.
Whatever reforms emerge from the consultation, Karen believes they must be communicated clearly, in plain English, to disabled people, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, and industry so there is a shared understanding of how the legislation should be interpreted.
Alongside the consultation, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) is developing an integrated micromobility framework that could shape the future regulation of powered mobility devices. For Karen, the two pieces of work are closely connected.
“A micromobility framework, if powered wheelchairs and power assist devices are included, would give sound structure and not stifle innovation. Innovation benefits all stakeholders.”
She believes an integrated framework has the potential to provide greater consistency for wheelchair users while avoiding the need for legislation to be continually amended as new technologies emerge. At the same time, Karen is clear that any future framework must recognise the distinct needs of prescribed powered wheelchair users and manual wheelchair users using power assist devices.
Karen also believes there is duplication between the current consultation and the work being undertaken by TRL. If an integrated micromobility framework ultimately incorporates powered wheelchairs alongside e-cycles, e-scooters, and other emerging transport technologies, she argues it further strengthens the case for exempting prescribed powered wheelchairs from the current “not in a class” category.
Karen also believes any future framework should provide greater clarity around CE recognition and ultimately replace, rather than sit alongside, the Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations, removing outdated terminology and unnecessary duplication.
The government will now consider the consultation responses before deciding how to take forward any legislative changes. Alongside that process, work on the integrated micromobility framework continues, with TRL’s draft report due to be reviewed by the steering group on 17 July before comments are returned on 24 July. Karen says she has been assured that the two programmes of work are linked.
Whether the outcome is targeted amendments or broader reform remains to be seen. What is clear is that the consultation has moved the debate well beyond terminology to questions of classification, weight limits, licensing, product recognition, and the distinct regulatory position of prescribed powered wheelchairs.
Positive change will also ensure that the current discriminatory position – where disabled people are legislated differently, and more restrictively than able-body people – is removed.
It is also crucial that the mobility sector maintains pressure on the next steps following the consultation, given the changing political landscape and risks of ministerial change.
This article is co-authored by the Wheelchair Alliance and the British Healthcare Trades Association.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has outlined the next stage of its medical devices regulatory reform programme, providing further details of its proposed Pre-market Statutory Instrument (SI) during a joint BHTA and AXREM webinar.
Speaking during the webinar, Dr Rob Reid, Deputy Director for Innovative Devices at the MHRA, explained how the proposed legislation aims to modernise the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 while balancing patient safety, innovation, and timely access to medical technologies.
The proposed reforms are designed to support safe and rapid access to medical devices through risk-proportionate and predictable routes to market, new International Reliance pathways, a UKCA framework focused on innovation, and closer alignment with international standards to support harmonisation and collaboration.
BHTA members who were unable to attend can watch the recording of the MHRA Pre-market Statutory Instrument webinar.
Dr Reid said reform is needed to respond to rapid technological advances, address recommendations from the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, and align the UK regulatory framework more closely with international best practice. These priorities also support the ambitions set out in the UK Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan and the 10 Year Health Plan for England, both of which recognise the important role medical technology plays in improving patient outcomes and driving economic growth.
The Pre-market SI is one part of a broader programme of regulatory reform. It follows the introduction of strengthened post-market surveillance requirements, while further policy work is already underway on areas such as electronic labelling, clinical investigations, health institution exemptions, and the future regulation of software and artificial intelligence (AI).
Rather than replacing the UK MDR 2002, the draft SI makes targeted amendments to the existing regulations while leaving other areas unchanged.
The draft SI would introduce:
See the slide below for the draft future UK MDR 2002 structure:
However, Dr Reid emphasised that several parts of the regulations are not being amended through the current legislation. Clinical investigations, performance evaluations, health institution exemptions, Approved Body designation and oversight, certain conformity assessment procedures, systems and procedure packs, exceptional use provisions, and market surveillance powers will instead be considered as part of future phases of the MHRA’s wider reform programme.
The draft SI would also update key definitions relating to medical devices, implantable devices, and intended purpose, bringing them more closely into line with international approaches. The UK’s Essential Requirements governing safety, performance, and labelling would also be revised to align more closely with the EU’s General Safety and Performance Requirements (GSPRs), with modifications for the Great Britain regulatory framework. The MHRA intends to publish guidance and implementation checklists to support manufacturers.
The draft SI would strengthen technical documentation requirements, requiring manufacturers to maintain up-to-date, searchable technical documentation in English and make it available to the MHRA within three working days if requested, with flexibility for extensions where appropriate. Document retention periods would also increase to the longer of the device’s lifetime or 15 years for implantable devices, and the longer of the device’s lifetime or 10 years for non-implantable devices. These changes are intended to improve regulatory oversight and support more effective post-market surveillance.
The proposals would also strengthen traceability through mandatory Unique Device Identifiers (UDIs) and new implant card requirements. Manufacturers would provide implant cards and patient information leaflets, while healthcare providers would record device identifiers to support incident reporting, recalls, and long-term traceability.
Recognising the increasing role of software in healthcare, the draft SI also introduces Pre-Determined Change Control Plans (PCCPs), allowing certain pre-approved software updates without requiring a new conformity assessment, provided they remain within agreed parameters. New cybersecurity requirements would align more closely with international best practice by requiring manufacturers to minimise cybersecurity risks and provide appropriate information for users. Dr Reid confirmed that proposed changes to software classification have been deliberately deferred while the MHRA considers recommendations from the National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.
The proposals would also expand the circumstances in which electronic instructions for use (eIFUs) may be used for certain devices, subject to appropriate risk assessments. Paper instructions would still be required where information is intended for patients.
The draft SI also updates requirements for custom-made devices, introducing stronger quality management and traceability measures for certain higher-risk implantable devices.
A key proposal is the introduction of International Reliance pathways, allowing the MHRA to make greater use of approvals granted by trusted regulators in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Rather than duplicating existing regulatory assessments, the new approach is intended to provide a more proportionate route to the Great Britain market while maintaining appropriate safeguards for patient safety.
Dr Reid explained why the European Union is not included within the proposed International Reliance routes. Following consultation with industry, the MHRA concluded that requiring Approved Body involvement for CE-marked devices could create additional barriers to market. Instead, the UK Government is considering the future recognition of CE marking separately, with a response to the consultation expected in due course.
The draft SI also introduces new provisions governing promotional claims and equivalence. Promotional material would be expected to be evidence-based, consistent with the device’s intended purpose and instructions for use, communicate relevant risks appropriately, and avoid misleading users. Manufacturers relying on equivalence would also be required to provide stronger technical, biological, and clinical justification to support their claims.
The draft Pre-market SI has now completed its 60-day notification period through the World Trade Organization (WTO). The MHRA is reviewing comments received during that process before finalising the legislation for introduction to Parliament later this year.
BHTA members can review the draft Pre-market Statutory Instrument on the WTO website.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the new regulations are expected to come into force around the middle of 2027. Alongside the legislation, the MHRA intends to publish detailed guidance and implementation materials to support manufacturers as they prepare for the changes.
The BHTA will continue to keep members informed as the legislation progresses and further MHRA guidance becomes available. BHTA members can access both the webinar recording and draft SI for further detail.
The UK Government has published its new Life Sciences Jobs Plan, setting out how government, industry, education providers, and other partners will work together over the next three years to address workforce pressures across the sector.
The plan is intended to strengthen the domestic skills pipeline, improve routes into life sciences careers, help businesses access training, and support the creation of high-quality jobs across the UK. For BHTA members, the most relevant measures are those focused on medtech skills, recruitment, apprenticeships, and support for small and medium-sized businesses.
The Jobs Plan supports the Industrial Strategy commitment to publish sector-specific workforce plans for priority growth sectors. It sits alongside the Life Sciences Sector Plan, the 10 Year Health Plan for England, and wider reforms to skills, employment, and migration.
Government analysis estimates that the life sciences sector will require around 66,000 additional workers in priority occupations between 2025 and 2035. A further 52,000 workers are expected to leave those occupations over the same period, creating substantial replacement demand alongside new job growth.
The plan is structured around four pillars: improving sector coordination, skills, hiring, and good jobs. Across these areas, the government proposes closer collaboration with employers, more responsive training provision, wider entry routes, and stronger support for recruitment and workforce development.
According to the Office for Life Sciences’ Bioscience and Health Technology Sector Statistics 2023 to 2024, medical technology accounted for around 55 percent of the life sciences sector’s approximately 360,000 jobs.
The plan identifies skills pressures that closely match the needs of medtech businesses, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, regulation, quality assurance, product testing, software, data, and commercialisation. It also highlights low awareness of careers in medtech, engineering, regulation, and manufacturing, making careers outreach a stated priority.
Other proposals are not limited to medtech but could directly benefit BHTA members.
From August 2026, the UK Government will fully fund training costs for apprentices aged 16 to 24 at non-levy-paying employers. From October 2026, those employers will also be able to claim a £2,000 payment for each new apprentice in that age group. The Employer Support Fund will continue through the 2026 to 2027 financial year to help SMEs meet the essential costs of hosting T Level industry placements.
Apprenticeship brokerage pilots in selected mayoral areas will also begin from late 2026, helping SMEs find candidates and navigate the system. Eligible employers may be able to use the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant or the Jobs Guarantee for entry-level technical and support roles. Short apprenticeship units, Skills Bootcamps, and modular study through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement are intended to support upskilling in digital, data, engineering, and management.
The Jobs Plan’s wider commitment to employer-led course design and closer links between local clusters, colleges, universities, and businesses may provide routes to shape future medtech training provision.
The Jobs Plan sets the direction for workforce policy over the next three years, but much of its impact will depend on how individual programmes are implemented. BHTA members may wish to review their future skills needs, identify roles that could be supported through apprenticeships or modular training, and consider opportunities to contribute to careers outreach, placements, and regional skills initiatives.
The latest NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) supplier webinar, held on 1 July 2026, provided further detail on the future Single Transacted National Price (STNP) programme, alongside updates on value-based procurement (VBP), clinical evidence requirements, and sustainability.
The webinar also reinforced expectations around value-based procurement and robust clinical evidence to support procurement decisions.
NHSSC provided further detail on its STNP programme, which forms part of the Commercial Transformation Programme’s Pricing Simplification project and will be introduced progressively as part of NHS Supply Chain 2030.
The proposed model will see all transacted frameworks move towards a single national buy price for each product, supported by new national value mechanisms designed to aggregate commitments across the NHS and maximise value. Centrally funded customers would access the same national sell price, removing customer-specific pricing tiers, banding, and additional discounts, while price variation would remain only for non-centrally funded customers where centrally determined margins apply.
Suppliers would be expected to support the transition by moving away from negotiating customer-specific discounts and rebates for NHS Supply Chain sales. Incentive schemes would instead be managed centrally, while frameworks unable to support STNP may, by exception, transition to a non-transacted (direct) procurement route.
NHSSC said pricing simplification aims to improve transparency, reduce administrative complexity, and create a more predictable pricing environment, allowing both suppliers and NHSSC to focus more on innovation, product development, and delivering value to the NHS.
Implementation will be gradual. In the short term, the National Value Programme will continue to optimise existing National Pricing Matrices (NPMs), including removing some where appropriate. Over time, new pricing mechanisms will replace NPMs and Market Basket Management Strategies (MBMS) as frameworks are renewed, enabling full adoption of STNP. NHSSC also confirmed it does not intend to return to commitment discounts or direct rebates as part of the new approach.
Value-based procurement (VBP) remains a key focus for NHSSC. As outlined in BHTA’s previous article on the new NHS value-based procurement guidance, suppliers are increasingly expected to demonstrate value across six domains: social value, efficiency, patient and staff outcomes, supply chain resilience, purpose, and whole-life cost.
The webinar highlighted a significant change in how supplier responses are evaluated. Rather than relying on pass/fail or yes/no assessments, procurement exercises will increasingly use scored, text-based responses to assess the strength of each submission. Meeting the minimum requirement is now considered the starting point, with suppliers expected to explain and evidence how their solution delivers greater quality and value than competing offers.
NHSSC also confirmed that VBP extends beyond contract award. Commitments made during the procurement process become part of the long-term offer, with value monitored and measured throughout the life of the contract. The same value criteria may also be applied during call-off competitions and further competitions under framework agreements.
NHSSC reiterated that clinical evidence plays a vital role in supporting product assessments and NHS procurement decisions.
Suppliers were reminded that evidence should, wherever possible, be published in peer-reviewed journals. Where evidence is based on case studies or case reports, NHSSC said research from the UK or comparable healthcare systems, including France, Denmark, Canada, and Australia, is particularly valuable. Larger international studies can also strengthen submissions where they have been published internationally or presented at recognised conferences.
NHSSC also highlighted guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which states that clinical evidence should be relevant to the evaluation, transparently reported, systematically assembled, and analysed using robust methods that minimise bias. NICE also recommends clearly justifying the selection of outcomes, resource use, and costs within the evidence base.
Suppliers were encouraged to focus evidence on the specific product being submitted, move beyond marketing claims, clearly explain the problem the product is intended to solve, and use evidence relating to the current product rather than previous generations. NHSSC also advised against relying on generic therapy-area evidence or evidence from unrelated products to support claims.
The webinar concluded with a brief update on sustainability requirements.
NHSSC confirmed it is reviewing NHS England’s updated 2027 Net Zero supplier requirements to determine how they will be implemented operationally. No further detail was provided, although suppliers were advised that further updates will follow as this work progresses.
BHTA members came together for our recent Joint Section Meeting at the British Motor Museum to connect with peers, share insight and discuss key topics affecting the healthcare and assistive technology sector.
The highlight reel captures moments from the day, including feedback from members on the value of meeting in person, exchanging ideas and being part of the wider BHTA community.
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and shared their reflections.
At the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026, held on 18 June at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, members heard from Bill Lee, Head of Policy & Compliance at the BHTA, who delivered a practical session exploring how the BHTA complaints process works in practice.
Using anonymised case studies and the latest complaints data, Bill demonstrated how complaints are assessed under the BHTA Code of Practice, highlighting the importance of evidence, communication, and proportionate decision-making.
The presentation opened with an overview of the BHTA complaints process, which provides a consistent framework for handling complaints made under the BHTA Code of Practice. Each complaint is assessed on its individual merits, with companies given the opportunity to resolve issues directly where appropriate. Where a complaint cannot be resolved and meets the relevant criteria, it may proceed to independent arbitration.
The seven stages of the BHTA complaints process are shown below.
Bill also shared complaints data covering 2024, 2025, and 2026 year-to-date.
Across the three reporting periods, BHTA recorded 149 complaint records, including 39 formal complaints. Complaint volumes peaked in 2025, which also recorded the fastest average resolution time at 27.5 days.
Looking across BHTA sections, the Mobility Group (Retailer) recorded the highest number of complaints in each reporting period, while Stairlifts & Access consistently ranked second. Bill noted that these figures should be viewed in the context of the size and activity of each section rather than as a measure of performance.
Refund or price reduction disputes and goods not being of satisfactory quality consistently featured among the most common reasons for complaints. Email remained the most common method of submitting complaints, while many cases did not progress beyond the initial review stage, reflecting the importance of early engagement and effective communication.
Bill brought the complaints process to life through anonymised case studies, illustrating the range of issues that can arise and how complaints are assessed in practice.
One case involved a mobility accessory that detached during normal use. As the customer had reported concerns before the item was lost and the product was considered not fit for its intended purpose, the complaint was upheld and the supplier agreed to provide a replacement.
Another case highlighted the importance of clear communication around aftercare. After a customer opted out of marketing literature, they did not receive information about extending their stairlift warranty. The supplier accepted that the distinction between marketing and essential aftercare had not been sufficiently clear and offered the warranty at the original price.
Members also heard about a complaint relating to specialist equipment that had been subject to numerous service visits over several years. While the customer remained dissatisfied, the evidence showed that the supplier had continued to investigate concerns, attend appointments, and carry out remedial work, so the complaint was not upheld.
The final example followed a complaint about a rise-and-recline chair that progressed to independent arbitration. The arbitrator found that responsibility for providing a product fit for purpose remained with the supplier, resulting in the complaint being partially upheld and an award being made for inconvenience.
Collectively, the case studies reinforced the importance of BHTA members and suppliers maintaining comprehensive records, communicating clearly with customers, and resolving concerns as early as possible wherever practical. For consumers, these steps help support fairer outcomes, clearer expectations, and greater confidence when issues arise.
Bill closed by positioning complaints as a practical source of learning for members, showing how issues can arise from product performance, communication, aftercare, record keeping, or customer expectations. The session underlined the role of clear processes in supporting fair outcomes and maintaining confidence in the standards expected of BHTA members.
At the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026, held on 18 June 2026 at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, delegates heard from Rachel Russell, Head of Regional Advice at Foundations.
Her session introduced the Home Adaptations Installer Network (HAIN), a new initiative designed to improve confidence in home adaptations by creating a national network of accredited installers. Rachel explored why trusted contractors are essential to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) process and how HAIN aims to benefit householders, installers, and local authorities alike.
Opening the session, Rachel highlighted the growing importance of the DFG, noting that government investment has increased from around £230 million in 2013 to £733 million today. She explained that this reflects the increasing recognition of home adaptations as a key part of helping people live independently and supporting wider prevention across health and social care.
While contractors play a vital role in delivering adaptations, Rachel noted that they are often overlooked within the wider process. Although government guidance encourages local authorities to maintain lists of qualified contractors, many authorities still do not have formal accredited lists in place.
She outlined the challenges this creates for each stakeholder. For householders, finding installers with the specialist knowledge, empathy, and professionalism needed to work safely and respectfully in people’s homes can be difficult. For installers, differing registration requirements across local authorities create unnecessary administrative burdens, while inconsistent pipelines of work can make it harder to plan ahead. Local authorities, meanwhile, face significant resource demands in vetting contractors, maintaining approved lists, and managing complaints.
To address these challenges, Foundations has worked with TrustMark Scheme Provider Diversity to establish the Home Adaptations Installer Network.
The network provides a single, nationally recognised route for installers undertaking DFG work, giving local authorities access to vetted contractors while providing consumers with greater confidence when selecting an installer.
Rachel explained that all HAIN members are TrustMark registered and undergo comprehensive vetting, including financial and insurance checks, verification of qualifications and memberships, consumer review assessments, DBS checks, and director checks.
Members also commit to a Code of Practice covering clear quotations, respectful customer service, health and safety standards, insurance and guarantees, DBS requirements, and a transparent complaints process. Installers who fail to meet these standards can be removed from the scheme.
Rachel described HAIN as delivering benefits for everyone involved in the adaptations process.
For householders, the network offers reassurance that installers have specialist knowledge of home adaptations, have been independently vetted, and are supported by appropriate insurance, warranties, and a national complaints process.
For installers, a single registration process removes the need to complete multiple local authority applications, while increasing visibility to councils and consumers looking for trusted contractors. Members also gain access to ongoing technical guidance, training opportunities, and continuing professional development.
Local authorities benefit from access to a ready-made network of accredited installers without the administrative burden of carrying out their own vetting processes. Rachel explained that this can help reduce risk, improve consistency, and support faster delivery of DFG adaptations. The service is provided free of charge to local authorities.
Looking ahead, Rachel said the ambition is for the network to support not only DFG work but also the wider private home adaptations market, making it easier for older and disabled people to find trusted installers regardless of how their adaptations are funded.
The session highlighted the importance of collaboration in improving access to high-quality home adaptations. By bringing together installers, local authorities, and householders within a shared framework of quality and accountability, HAIN aims to raise standards, build confidence, and support more timely delivery of adaptations that enable people to live safely and independently at home.
At the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026, held on 18 June 2026 at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, delegates heard from Ceara Chamberlin, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Newlife, and Daniel Laing, Associate Director of Tendo.
Their session explored the findings of the Children’s Commissioner’s report, ‘Children Waiting to Leave Hospital’, alongside the ongoing work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Access to Disability Equipment.
The session examined the challenges disabled children and their families face when accessing essential equipment and support, and highlighted the growing role of collaboration between charities, industry, and Parliament in improving outcomes.
Introducing Newlife’s work, Ceara explained that the charity provides life-changing specialist disability equipment to thousands of disabled children across the UK through grants and emergency loans, helping them access school, participate in their communities, and experience the joys of childhood.
She then examined the report, which found that thousands of children who are medically fit to leave hospital remain there because appropriate support is unavailable. More than 260,000 children spend three weeks or more in hospital, almost 35,000 remain for longer than three months, and more than 11,000 spend over a year in hospital, often missing out on family life, education, and play.
The report identifies several causes of delayed discharge, including fragmented services, shortages of care placements, inconsistent community support, and delays to housing adaptations and specialist equipment.
The report recommends stronger joint commissioning across health services, local authorities, and schools, improved data on discharge delays, greater support for children’s homecare services, better access to housing adaptations, and increased investment through the Disabled Facilities Grant.
Building on the report’s findings, Ceara said equipment should be considered an integral part of discharge planning rather than an afterthought. As more care is delivered closer to home, timely access to equipment is increasingly enabling both safe discharge and childhood, reinforcing the need for stronger integration between health, social care, and education.
Ceara also highlighted the importance of better data to demonstrate both the scale of delayed discharge and the preventative value of equipment. Improved evidence, she suggested, would strengthen the case for investment by showing how timely provision can prevent hospital admissions as well as support earlier discharge. She concluded by recognising the important role charities continue to play in filling gaps in statutory provision, while noting that families should not have to rely on charitable support to access essential equipment.
The second half of the session focused on the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Access to Disability Equipment, established in 2025 to improve parliamentary understanding of the barriers preventing timely access to specialist equipment.
Daniel explained how the APPG brings together parliamentarians, the BHTA, Newlife, Whizz Kidz, and other organisations to improve understanding of community equipment and inform future policy. Since its launch, the group has grown to more than 40 parliamentarians, launched a national inquiry, and published recommendations on improving access to disability equipment.
He also described how the APPG’s work is helping to raise the profile of community equipment within Parliament, with debates, parliamentary questions, and proposed legislative amendments increasingly reflecting the issues identified through the APPG’s evidence gathering.
The session concluded by reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration between charities, industry, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. As discussions around children’s services, integrated care, and community equipment continue to develop, improving access to specialist equipment remains a key part of enabling disabled children to leave hospital sooner, participate more fully in everyday life, and receive the support they need closer to home.
At the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026, held on 18 June 2026 at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, delegates heard from Dr Ianto Guy of TRL on the future regulation of micromobility.
The Joint Section Meeting brought together BHTA members from across the association’s healthcare and assistive technology sectors for networking, knowledge-sharing, and discussion on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry.
Dr Guy’s session examined how upcoming legislation could affect mobility equipment users, manufacturers, and retailers. With the UK Government having committed to reviewing the regulations governing powered mobility devices and developing a new regulatory framework for micromobility, existing legislation no longer reflects the realities of modern mobility solutions.
Dr Guy explained that today’s regulatory landscape is fragmented. Existing legislation includes the Invalid Carriage Regulations (1988), Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) Regulations, and L-category vehicle regulations, yet many newer mobility products sit between these categories.
This has created unintended barriers for users, including younger mobility scooter users, powered wheelchair users wishing to tow pushchairs, and people who could benefit from newer micromobility devices but are prevented from using them under current regulations.
The presentation also highlighted products that exist within a regulatory “grey area”, including power add-ons for wheelchairs, self-balancing devices, and some forms of e-scooter technology.
Research undertaken by TRL, funded by the Motability Foundation and supported by organisations including RiDC, Wheels for Wellbeing, the Wheelchair Alliance, RNIB, and Disability Rights UK, has explored how a more unified approach could support independent mobility.
One proposal explored during the session was a new Low-Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category. Rather than maintaining separate systems for disabled and non-disabled users, the framework would apply a single set of rules to low-speed mobility devices, including mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs, self-balancing devices, power add-ons, and conversion kits.
The proposal is underpinned by two ambitions: enabling everyone to achieve pedestrian-equivalent mobility for shorter journeys and cycling-equivalent mobility for longer journeys, regardless of whether they use a mobility aid.
Dr Guy argued that a single framework could help remove barriers created by the current system, giving users greater freedom to choose the device that best meets their needs, reducing the need to prove eligibility for certain mobility devices, and supporting innovation.
The discussion also focused on unresolved issues. One of the most debated was footway use. If a single regulatory system is adopted, policymakers will need to consider how different types of low-speed mobility devices can safely share space with pedestrians.
Another area of discussion was vehicle mass limits. Dr Guy explained that any future framework would likely need a maximum mass threshold to distinguish low-speed mobility devices from larger vehicle categories and help manage safety risks. However, the limit would need to accommodate heavier users and specialist mobility equipment without creating unnecessary barriers to access.
Questions also remain around infrastructure, public transport accessibility, and access to funding. As Dr Guy noted, regulation alone cannot address wider issues such as inadequate walking and wheeling infrastructure or barriers within public transport networks.
Even a successful regulatory overhaul would not solve every issue facing disabled people. Access to NHS and local authority funding, public transport, buildings, and suitable walking and wheeling infrastructure would remain significant considerations. While regulation can remove barriers created by the current system, wider improvements across transport, healthcare, and the built environment would still be needed.
Although no new legislation has yet been introduced, work is continuing across government and the sector to consider how future micromobility regulation could develop.
For BHTA members, the session highlighted that the future of micromobility is closely linked to wider questions of independence, accessibility, and inclusion.
As these discussions progress, the perspectives shared at the Joint Section Meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration between industry, researchers, disabled people’s organisations, and policymakers in shaping future mobility policy.
A keynote session at the BHTA Joint Section Meeting on 18 June 2026, at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire, explored the latest developments across the UK Government’s MedTech agenda.
The session was presented by Paul Griffiths, Head of Policy and Strategy for Medical Technology & Innovation at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Opening the session, Paul highlighted the arrival of new ministers, including James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Preet Kaur Gill, Minister for Life Sciences and Innovation.
He said the key message from the new ministerial team was the continuation of existing direction and priorities.
Wave One of the new Part IX process is now underway, with applications having closed in March and assessments being carried out by independent advisory panels.
Paul noted that a review will take place following the first wave to assess how the process is working in practice and identify any unintended consequences before future waves are introduced.
He also highlighted the introduction of temporary listings for products that demonstrate strong potential but require additional real-world evidence before being considered for permanent inclusion. The provision allows products to be listed for up to two years while further evidence is generated.
Paul said several companies are already making use of the temporary listing route, which has been introduced to help innovative products reach patients sooner while supporting further evidence generation.
Members also received an update on the National HealthTech Access Programme, formerly known as the Rules-Based Pathway.
The programme aims to create a clearer route from regulatory approval through to evaluation, reimbursement, and NHS adoption. The first technologies have now entered the NICE Technology Appraisal process.
Paul said the programme is intended to make the NHS a more predictable customer for innovation, supporting both technology adoption and growth across the UK’s life sciences sector.
Following engagement with more than 300 SMEs and extensive work with NHS organisations, industry representatives, and other stakeholders, the government published guidance on value-based procurement for medical technology in June.
The approach has been tested through pilot projects at 13 NHS trusts, with an independent evaluation examining how the methodology performs in live procurement settings and what support organisations may need to implement it more widely.
Paul said the next phase will focus on training, implementation support, and adoption across NHS organisations.
Paul provided updates on Design for Life, the programme supporting the transition towards a more circular approach to MedTech.
Work is continuing on priority adoption programmes, with sustainability considerations being incorporated into wider decision-making processes.
Alongside this, he outlined progress on Project Phoenix, which is developing a clean room in HMP Ranby to test the concept of manufacturing MedTech in prisons.
Another programme highlighted during the session was MedTech Compass, a DHSC-led platform designed to help NHS organisations compare products using trusted evidence sources.
The platform will bring together information from NICE guidance, pilot evaluations, procurement exercises, and other datasets to support purchasing decisions. The programme entered beta development in June.
Paul also noted that Compass has been identified as the delivery vehicle for the Innovator Passport programme, helping to support more consistent adoption of technologies across the NHS.
The session concluded with an update on several areas of regulatory reform.
Paul highlighted progress on pre-market regulation changes, which are moving through the final stages of development. He also discussed ongoing work around international recognition and reliance pathways, following consultation with industry and other stakeholders.
Paul also highlighted forthcoming recommendations relating to AI as a medical device.
Members also heard about ongoing discussions regarding industry payments disclosure. A series of stakeholder workshops has been taking place to explore different options and gather views from industry, patient groups, and NHS organisations before decisions are taken on next steps.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its new ‘Value-Based Procurement National Standard Guidance for Medical Technology’, setting out a national approach for how NHS organisations should evaluate medical technology and healthcare equipment.
The guidance marks a notable shift away from procurement decisions based mainly on purchase price. Instead, NHS buyers are being encouraged to consider the wider value that products and services deliver across the health and care system.
The guidance introduces a standardised approach to value-based procurement for medical technology. Its purpose is to help NHS organisations assess the full impact of a product, including benefits for patients, staff, services, sustainability, and supply chain resilience.
For suppliers of healthcare equipment into the NHS, this means tender responses are likely to place greater emphasis on evidence of outcomes, efficiency, and long-term value, rather than relying primarily on upfront cost comparisons.
The framework is built around five value domains, alongside whole life cost. The five value domains are used to assess the wider value of a product or service, while whole life cost assesses the cost of the product across its lifecycle.
The framework can be summarised as follows:
The five value domains combined should account for a minimum of 60% of the overall evaluation score. Within this, social value must account for at least 10% of the total weighting.
Whole life cost should account for a maximum of 40% of the evaluation score.
NHS buyers should select the domains that are most relevant to the medical technology being procured. For suppliers, this means bid materials may need to map product and service evidence clearly against the relevant domains.
This domain assesses the wider social and environmental benefits generated by a product or service, including carbon reduction, sustainability initiatives, ethical sourcing, and support for NHS net zero ambitions.
Efficiency focuses on improvements to the patient pathway and healthcare productivity. This could include reduced procedure times, shorter hospital stays, increased capacity, reduced waiting lists, or improved clinical workflow.
This domain considers how technologies support patient experience, patient safety, and workforce wellbeing. Evidence of improved outcomes, reduced risk, better usability, and enhanced staff experience will be increasingly important.
The NHS will assess the resilience of suppliers’ supply chains, including business continuity arrangements, stock availability, risk management processes, and continuity of supply during periods of disruption.
This domain evaluates whether a product meets the required specification and performs effectively in its intended setting. Functionality, usability, interoperability, and overall fitness for purpose will all be considered.
Alongside the five value domains, the guidance places strong emphasis on whole life cost (WLC).
Whole life cost goes beyond the initial purchase price and includes factors such as:
This approach recognises that a product with a higher upfront price may offer stronger overall value if it reduces maintenance needs, improves efficiency, minimises complications, or delivers a longer operational lifespan. For suppliers, clear information on lifecycle costs may therefore become an important part of demonstrating value in NHS tender submissions.
The guidance states that buyers should select only those value domains and evaluation questions that are relevant to the medical technology being procured. The assessment process should be proportionate to the cost, nature, and complexity of the requirement.
For example, where products are available from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), buyers may choose to use a smaller number of evaluation questions or social value outcomes to reduce the burden on bidders.
Where questions or social value outcomes are used, buyers should provide clear guidance, definitions, scoring methodologies, and sufficient time and information to enable bidders to respond effectively. This may make well-structured evidence, real-world data, case studies, sustainability metrics, and supply chain information increasingly important for suppliers responding to NHS tenders.
As UK MedTech policy continues to evolve, BHTA members have an important opportunity to hear directly from Paul Griffiths, Head of Policy and Implementation, MedTech Directorate, at the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026.
Paul will deliver the opening keynote, ‘UK MedTech Strategy Update’, exploring the latest developments shaping UK MedTech policy, innovation adoption, procurement reform, and implementation priorities. The session will provide valuable insight into the strategic direction of the sector and what future policy developments could mean for healthcare businesses.
Ahead of the event, the BHTA spoke with Paul about the key policy updates members should be aware of and why his session will be valuable.
BHTA: What are the key MedTech policy updates that BHTA members should be aware of in 2026?
Paul Griffiths: “We are seeing continued delivery of key programmes of the NHS 10 Year Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan. Recent highlights include publication of the Value Based Procurement Standard Guidance and the start of the Wave 1 Part IX Drug Tariff renewal assessments.”
BHTA: What does the latest direction of UK MedTech policy mean for healthcare businesses?
Paul Griffiths: “Increased clarity and less friction making the UK, and the NHS in particular, a more attractive place to invest and innovate.”
BHTA: How is the government looking to improve the adoption of innovative MedTech?
Paul Griffiths: “A significant amount of work is underway to improve the way we adopt innovative MedTech. You only have to see progress on developing the National Health Tech Access Programme, standard guidance on Value Based Procurement, and the work on regulatory reform, to see we are committed to driving improvement.”
BHTA: Why should BHTA members attend your session at the Joint Section Meeting?
Paul Griffiths: “This will be an opportunity to get the latest updates and development on policy in the MedTech space.”
BHTA: Will you be sharing any new updates or insights that have not previously been discussed publicly?
Paul Griffiths: “Information is in public domain, for example the recent publication of Value Based Procurement standard guidance.”
For BHTA members, these topics have real relevance. From procurement and regulatory reform to innovation adoption, and NHS priorities, Paul’s keynote will help members better understand the direction of travel for UK MedTech policy.
The BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026 takes place on 18 June at the British Motor Museum, Warwickshire. Free to attend for BHTA members, the event will bring together members from across all sections for a day of insight, collaboration, and networking.
Alongside Paul’s opening keynote, the agenda includes expert sessions covering employment law, housing adaptations, disability inclusion, market intelligence, and wider healthcare sector trends.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Paul directly and gain valuable insight into the policy developments shaping the future of the sector.
NHS England (NHSE) has published new guidance setting out the next milestone of the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, with new supplier requirements due to take effect from 1 April 2027.
From April 2027, the NHS will implement new proportionate requirements for suppliers to publicly report targets and emissions, and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) for all relevant global scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The requirements form part of the NHS’s wider commitment to reaching net zero by 2045, as set out in ‘Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service’.
The BHTA encourages members that supply, or intend to supply, goods, services, or works to the NHS to review the new guidance and begin preparing for the April 2027 requirements.
NHSE has published two documents to support suppliers and procurement teams ahead of the April 2027 milestone: ‘2027 NHS Carbon reduction plan requirements for the procurement of NHS goods, services and works’, and ‘Market sounding findings: net zero supplier requirements from April 2027’.
From 1 April 2027, the new guidance replaces the current carbon reduction plan guidance and associated requirements, which should continue to be followed for in-scope procurements commenced before that date.
The accompanying market sounding findings explain how supplier and stakeholder feedback informed the final policy approach, including changes to the net zero target date, target validation, and offsetting requirements.
The requirements apply to the commissioning and purchasing of goods, services, and works by in-scope NHS organisations, including where a third party acts on their behalf.
To ensure the requirements are applied in a proportionate and relevant way, the policy will follow a two-tiered approach.
The 2027 NHS Carbon Reduction Plan (2027 NHS CRP) tier will apply to high-value procurements of £5 million per annum and above, including VAT, and all new frameworks operated by in-scope organisations, irrespective of the value of the framework contract, where relevant and proportionate to the framework. A 2027 NHS CRP covers all scope 1, scope 2, and relevant scope 3 emissions.
The 2024 CRP tier will apply to lower-value procurements below £5 million per annum, including VAT, and above the relevant published procurement thresholds. A 2024 CRP covers all scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, and a subset of scope 3 emissions. NHSE states that this reflects the existing CRP content in place since April 2023 for the NHS and aligns with the CRP content defined in PPN 006.
A compliant CRP must set out the supplier’s baseline and current emissions, environmental management measures, and planned actions to achieve net zero. It must also be approved by the board, or by a company director if no board is in place, and clearly signposted and published on the supplier’s website.
CRPs will be assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not be scored or compared against each other; suppliers that do not meet the minimum requirements may be unable to proceed, except in exceptional circumstances.
Annex 2 of the guidance compares the 2024 CRP and 2027 NHS CRP requirements. In summary, the 2027 NHS CRP expands the requirements by applying a global geographical boundary and requiring suppliers to report scope 1, scope 2, and all relevant scope 3 emissions in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard. The NHS also recommends that suppliers work towards a 2045 net zero target, obtain independent third-party target validation, and disclose the expected proportion of their net zero target that will rely on offsetting.
Suppliers can access a range of support to help them meet the requirements. This includes NHSE webinars on the new requirements, taking place on 16 June at 11am and 23 June at 2pm. Future webinars and on-demand support videos are also available through the NHSE Net Zero and Sustainable Procurement Team webinar programme.
Additional support is available through NHSE’s Sustainable Supplier Accelerator Programme, which provides guidance on areas such as carbon accounting and target setting. Suppliers can also use resources from the UK Business Climate Hub, including free tools and calculators.
NHSE is also encouraging suppliers to use the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment to check the content of their Carbon Reduction Plan against the policy requirements using the maturity levels.
NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) used its June 2026 supplier webinar to share important updates for suppliers, with cyber security requirements forming the main focus of the session.
Cyber security was a major focus of the webinar, reflecting the growing risks facing healthcare supply chains. NHSSC highlighted how cyber incidents can disrupt operations, affect product availability, and ultimately impact patient care.
Suppliers were reminded of several practical steps that can help strengthen cyber security, including enabling multi-factor authentication, training staff to recognise and report phishing emails, using strong, unique passwords, implementing conditional access policies, maintaining business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and building a strong cyber security culture through awareness and training.
Suppliers in scope of Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 014 are expected to demonstrate compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus. This applies to relevant suppliers handling personal information relating to employees, customers, or suppliers, or providing ICT systems and services.
Where a supplier does not hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification, NHSSC requires completion of an Information Security Third Party Questionnaire (ISTPQ). This is reviewed by NHSSC’s cyber security team and is only required where a valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate is not held.
Suppliers that handle patient information, such as home addresses, must also demonstrate compliance with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). NHSSC emphasised that DSPT is a separate NHS England requirement to Cyber Essentials Plus and must be reviewed and submitted annually where applicable.
NHSSC also clarified that routine business emails alone do not automatically trigger a Cyber Essentials Plus requirement. The requirement applies where a supplier stores, processes, retains, or has ongoing access to personal data, such as information relating to employees, patients, customers, or other individuals, as part of the service, system, or solution it provides.
Members may also wish to attend NHS England’s free Cyber Resilience Across the Health and Care Supply Chain webinar on 30 June. The session will cover evolving cyber security expectations across the health and care system, what these mean in practice for NHS suppliers, and how suppliers can support stronger supply chain resilience.
NHSSC also provided an update on its newly established Supplier Management Team, which brings together supplier relationship management, supplier development, resilience, sustainability, performance, and risk functions into a single team.
The aim is to create a more integrated approach to supplier management, strengthen supplier relationships, improve resilience and sustainability, and support better risk management across the supply chain.
Recent activity includes supplier assurance work, lessons learned from supply disruptions experienced during the year, and development of a new Incident Management Framework intended to improve future responses to supply chain incidents.
NHSSC is also working to provide suppliers with greater visibility of customer demand through initiatives such as a Customer Insights Dashboard and enhanced demand allocation processes. Other ongoing work includes Clinical Product and Supplier Risk Segmentation, due diligence activity, and closer alignment with NHS England on cyber security.
The team is also increasing engagement with suppliers and industry bodies. Planned activity includes SME-focused forums, workshops for medium-sized and smaller businesses, renewed engagement with trade associations, and broader collaboration with industry partners and health innovation organisations.
NHSSC also briefly provided an update on the NHS Core List programme, an NHS England initiative designed to simplify procurement, reduce unnecessary product variation, and leverage collective buying power through a single procurement route.
Products included within the NHS Core List are selected against a range of principles, including standardisation, resilience, supplier assurance, and the availability of clinically appropriate alternatives.
At present, NHS Core List products do not cover BHTA member product categories. The BHTA will continue to monitor developments and assess whether relevant product categories become available through the NHS Core List in future.
Location: This is a remote role, with some required travel to the head office in London and across the UK
Salary & Package: Circa £35k per annum
Closing date: 30 June 2026 (although may close earlier based on applications)
Employment type: This is a full-time, permanent role
Reports to: Head of Policy & Compliance, and works closely with Senior Policy Consultant
Role purpose
The Policy Officer is a permanent, full-time role within BHTA’s policy and governance function. The role exists to strengthen BHTA’s policy capacity, resilience and continuity, supporting the Association’s mission to bring industry together to shape and improve the health and care of all.
A key and core element of the role is to provide additional dedicated policy and stakeholder support to the Dispensing Appliance Contractors (DAC) and Stoma sections of BHTA. The Policy Officer will support these sections through day-to-day policy activity, stakeholder engagement, data and reporting, and coordination with senior policy leadership.
The role enables senior consultancy resource to focus on high-value strategic leadership and relationship-critical activity, while ensuring that operational policy delivery, devolved nation engagement and section support are delivered consistently and effectively across England, Scotland and Wales.
Benefits include pension, annual leave entitlement and flexible working arrangements in line with BHTA policies.
Key responsibilities include:
The successful candidate will be:
Desirable criteria
Skills and abilities
Personal attributes
About BHTA
Founded in 1917 and consisting of over 400 member companies, the BHTA brings the healthcare and assistive technology industry together to help shape and improve the health and care of the nation. It operates as the sector’s consumer protection body, with all members required to abide by its CTSI-endorsed Code of Practice. The association also supports the needs of its members through its membership services, alongside advocating on behalf of its members at the highest levels of government and standards-setting bodies.
The association also has a commercial media and publishing arm, which aims to engage and inform key audiences in the industry through its flagship title: THIIS Magazine.
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to bhta@bhta.com, with the email subject “BHTA Policy Officer”
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has welcomed Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment as a new member. The company provides specialist healthcare equipment designed to support healthcare professionals and improve patient care across a range of settings.
The BHTA recently caught up with Ronnie McDonald, Managing Director at Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment, to learn more about the company’s work in specialist equipment provision, its focus on patient wellbeing, and why it chose to become part of the BHTA.
Ronnie has spent more than two decades with Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment, building extensive knowledge of the healthcare sector and the needs of the professionals working within it.
“I have been with Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment for 22 years, and my journey into the healthcare sector began with a strong interest in improving patient outcomes through the provision of high-quality specialist equipment,” Ronnie explained.
That long-standing experience continues to shape his focus on practical, reliable support for healthcare providers.
“Over time, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers, which continues to drive my passion for delivering reliable and effective solutions,” he added.
Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment supplies a wide range of specialist products across different care environments. Its product offering includes 24-hour postural management, specialist seating, sleep systems, pressure care, profiling beds, moving and handling equipment, showering and bathing products, and both powered and manual wheelchairs.
“Our ethos centres on delivering high-quality, clinically effective products backed by excellent service and support,” Ronnie commented. “We work closely with NHS trusts, care homes, and community healthcare providers to ensure that the equipment we supply meets the highest standards and genuinely enhances patient wellbeing.”
A recent development for the business has been the creation of a system for re-assigning both paediatric and adult specialist seating, helping local authorities reduce costs and lower their carbon footprint.
Healthcare suppliers are operating in a changing environment, with businesses needing to manage operational pressures while keeping pace with regulatory and clinical developments.
“Like many organisations in the healthcare sector, we face ongoing challenges around supply chain pressures, changes in regulations, and the need to continually adapt to evolving clinical requirements,” Ronnie highlighted.
“The support provided by organisations such as the BHTA is invaluable in helping us stay informed, compliant, and connected within the industry,” he continued.
Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment chose to join the BHTA because of the association’s standing within the healthcare industry and its role in promoting high standards across the sector.
“We chose to become a member of the BHTA as it is a trusted and respected voice within the healthcare industry,” Ronnie explained. “We recognise the value of aligning ourselves with an organisation that promotes best practices, quality standards, and ethical trading.”
BHTA membership also gives the company access to valuable guidance, resources, and opportunities to engage with wider industry developments.
“Being part of the BHTA strengthens our credibility and allows us to contribute to a wider network of like-minded organisations,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead, Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment is focused on the next stage of its development.
“Newlyn Healthcare Specialist Equipment is focused on expanding our product range, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to invest in innovation,” Ronnie said. “We are particularly keen to explore new solutions that enhance patient comfort, safety, and independence.”
The company is also planning to attend relevant industry events throughout the year to build its presence across the sector. Ronnie said BHTA events and webinars focused on industry trends, compliance, and innovation are of particular interest, as they offer useful opportunities to stay informed and connected.
To find out more about how the BHTA can support your business and how to become a BHTA member, visit this page.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is aware of a Field Safety Notice issued by BHTA member company Invacare concerning certain Invacare Robin chargers used with Invacare Robin ceiling hoists.
This article shares important safety information for providers and users of the Invacare Robin hoist who may have received affected chargers.
Invacare has identified that a limited quantity of Invacare Robin chargers, delivered as spare parts, were fitted with an incorrect fuse. As a result, the charger no longer meets the minimum IPX4 ingress protection rating required under ISO 10535.
The Invacare Robin charger is used to charge the Invacare Robin ceiling hoist, which is designed to transfer and position completely or partially immobile patients within compatible track systems.
According to Invacare, the issue was identified following a complaint relating to Robin chargers. Although no incidents or injuries have been reported, the manufacturer has advised that, in a worst-case scenario, the issue could lead to serious injury or death.
Invacare has advised that the compromised IP rating may create a safety risk in certain circumstances.
While no adverse events have occurred, the manufacturer considers the probability of occurrence to be significant enough to require the recall of affected chargers.
The issue affects only certain chargers supplied as spare parts and not all Invacare Robin systems.
The Field Safety Notice applies to specific Invacare Robin charger sets with UK plugs supplied as spare parts.
Affected product details:
Invacare has provided images within the Field Safety Notice to help users identify affected chargers. Chargers marked “N/OK” in the notice are subject to the recall.
Invacare UK is contacting affected providers directly in line with the identified charger range.
Providers and users who believe they may have received an affected charger should:
Invacare UK will arrange transport for the collection of affected chargers once the relevant documentation has been completed.
Invacare has confirmed that all returned chargers will be replaced with new compliant chargers.
The manufacturer will record confirmation of all corrective actions undertaken as part of the recall process.
Providers and users are encouraged to review the Field Safety Notice for full details and identification guidance.
For further information or assistance relating to this Field Safety Notice, please contact Invacare UK Technical Services:
This communication is intended to ensure that providers and users of the Invacare Robin hoist are aware of the manufacturer’s corrective action and the steps required to support continued patient safety and compliance.
The Rt Hon James Murray MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the resignation of The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP from government.
The appointment was approved by The King on 14 May 2026, with James Murray taking over responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including oversight of NHS delivery and performance, as well as social care policy.
James Murray has served as the Member of Parliament for Ealing North since 2019. Prior to his appointment to DHSC, he served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from September 2025 and previously held the role of Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. Before entering Parliament, he served as Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development between 2016 and 2019, following a decade as a local councillor in London.
Wes Streeting confirmed his resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, stating that he had “lost confidence” in the Prime Minister’s leadership following recent political developments and local election results. An exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and Wes Streeting was subsequently published by the government.
In his resignation letter, Wes Streeting reflected on NHS performance during his tenure, pointing to reductions in waiting lists, improvements in ambulance response times, and increased NHS productivity. He also referenced broader political disagreements within government and concerns over Labour’s future direction, including the scale of recent local election losses and the wider political challenges facing the government.
Responding to the resignation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thanked Wes Streeting for his service and described his contribution to NHS reform as significant. In his reply, the Prime Minister highlighted progress including reduced waiting lists, improvements in patient experience, and ongoing policy initiatives such as the 10 Year Health Plan, the National Cancer Plan, and reforms to adult social care.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the political challenges facing the government following recent local election results, while expressing hope that Wes Streeting would continue to play an important role within the Labour Party in future.
James Murray now assumes leadership of DHSC at a time of continued focus on NHS recovery, social care reform, workforce pressures, and wider healthcare policy development across the UK.
Reacting to the announcement of the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the BHTA, said: “We congratulate James Murray MP on his appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at a pivotal time for the sector.
“With major structural changes ahead, including the proposed bill to abolish NHS England outlined in the King’s Speech 2026, alongside ongoing concerns around social care, wheelchair services, and community equipment provision, the BHTA looks forward to working constructively with the new Secretary of State to help improve timely access to the right equipment and support for people across the UK.
“We also hope to continue engaging with government on long-standing sector priorities, including the BHTA’s campaign to remove VAT on life-saving public access defibrillators.”
The UK Government has published the King’s Speech 2026, setting out its proposed legislative programme for the next parliamentary session.
Several proposed bills could affect BHTA members, including measures on NHS reform, patient data, cyber security, late payments, competition, and steel supply chains.
One of the most significant announcements for the healthcare sector is the NHS Modernisation Bill, which will abolish NHS England by transferring its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care or the wider system. The bill will also enable a Single Patient Record, allowing people to view their health and social care records securely on the NHS App. This may be relevant to members working in digital health, data, interoperability, or services that may link to the NHS App in future. Members can read the BHTA’s position on the abolition of NHS England for further context.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill would require organisations providing essential services to report more harmful cyber incidents to their regulator and the National Cyber Security Centre within 24 hours, followed by a full report within 72 hours. It would also introduce tougher enforcement, including turnover-based penalties for serious breaches.
The National Security Bill would update the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and create a Cyber Crime Risk Order. This may affect how cyber risks are investigated, prevented, and managed across digital systems and services.
For businesses, the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill would introduce measures to tackle late payments between businesses. These include maximum payment terms of 60 days, mandatory interest on late payments at eight percent above the Bank of England base rate, and new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate poor payment practices, adjudicate disputes, and fine businesses that fail to comply.
The Competition Reform Bill could affect members where competition enforcement, market reviews, or merger activity shape healthcare and assistive technology markets. It would give the CMA Board a role in decisions on mergers and market investigations, aiming to make decision-making more consistent, predictable, and accountable.
The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill provides a route for the government to nationalise steel companies or their operations, provided the public interest test in the legislation is met. The announcement follows wider government measures on steel, including changes due to come into effect from 1 July 2026 that will reduce tariff-free import quotas and introduce a 50 percent tariff on steel imports above these limits. This is relevant to members that manufacture with raw steel or rely on steel as a significant input cost, as the changes could affect costs, availability, procurement decisions, and manufacturing strategies.
The BHTA will continue to monitor the proposed legislation and assess the implications for members as the bills progress through Parliament.
The BHTA is hosting a free webinar at 2pm on 21 May 2026 to examine the current policy and political landscape. It will cover the key announcements from the King’s Speech 2026 and the outcome of the May elections, with a focus on what these developments mean for BHTA members.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published proposed new pre-market regulatory requirements for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices entering the Great Britain market.
The draft Medical Devices (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were published on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) notification portal on 8 May 2026, opening a formal period for feedback from stakeholders across the medtech sector.
BHTA members are encouraged to share their views on the proposed regulatory changes through the MHRA stakeholder impact survey. Member feedback will help inform the MHRA’s Impact Assessment and future implementation planning.
According to the MHRA, the proposed changes are intended to introduce a more proportionate and patient-centred regulatory framework for medical devices and IVDs.
Key proposals include:
The MHRA states that the proposals are designed to support patient safety, improve transparency and strengthen access to innovative medical technologies across the UK.
The proposed reforms may be particularly relevant to members involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, supplying, or servicing medical devices and IVDs. The survey is intended to gather evidence on the practical impacts of the proposals, including likely costs, benefits, and implementation considerations. As the MHRA develops its future regulatory framework, feedback from across the sector will play an important role in helping policymakers understand the potential operational, commercial, and compliance impacts of the proposed changes. Members responding to the survey are encouraged to provide specific examples relevant to their organisations where possible. All responses will be analysed in aggregate and anonymised.
Read the WTO notification and draft Medical Devices (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Complete the MHRA stakeholder impact survey.
The deadline for responses is 11:59pm (UK time) on Friday 19 June 2026.
The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) has announced the appointment of Kenan Poleo as Director, effective from May 2026.
Kenan succeeds Roz Campion and will lead the cross-government delivery of the UK’s Life Sciences Sector Plan, which forms part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The role also includes responsibility for innovation priorities linked to the 10 Year Health Plan.
Reporting jointly into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Director works closely with OLS Executive Chair Steve Bates OBE to support the Government’s ambition for the UK to become the world’s third most important life sciences economy by 2035.
Kenan brings extensive experience from across government, healthcare, and international trade. Most recently, Kenan served as Consul General and Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Prior to this, Kenan held senior trade and innovation roles including Her Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Europe and Head of Global at Innovate UK.
Kenan’s earlier career included a range of senior UK Government positions focused on manufacturing strategy, energy, and environmental legislation, and the chemicals industry. Before entering government service, Kenan worked within the NHS, commissioning services related to sexual health, HIV/AIDS, refugee and homelessness health, and support for Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
BHTA members may wish to note the appointment given the Office for Life Sciences’ ongoing role in shaping healthcare innovation, regulation, and industry collaboration across the UK.
Members wishing to contact the Office for Life Sciences can do so via: Director.OLS@officeforlifesciences.gov.uk
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has produced a new report analysing product spend within the NHS Supply Chain Framework for Artificial Limb Components and Associated Products. This information is exclusively available to BHTA members.
The report has been made possible through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the BHTA to NHS Supply Chain, giving members valuable visibility into NHS procurement activity that is not routinely available.
Covering the period 23 November 2024 to 21 November 2025, the report provides an overview of product spend, usage, monthly activity, and purchasing patterns across the prosthetics framework.
The findings offer members a useful opportunity to better understand procurement trends and market dynamics within the prosthetics sector, supporting informed strategic decision-making.
Members of the Prosthetics and Orthotic Section can download the full report here.
The BHTA Retailers’ Day 2026 brought together mobility and assistive technology retailers from across the UK for a focused day of learning, collaboration, and industry insight. Held on 22 April in Northampton, the event was designed to equip retailers with practical guidance, expert perspectives, and the latest updates to support their businesses and the customers they serve.
The day also included a focused AI panel discussion, exploring how artificial intelligence is beginning to influence mobility and independent living retail, which we have covered in a separate article.
This article highlights the engaging presentations delivered throughout the day. Each session offered valuable takeaways, from improving customer experience, and marketing strategies to navigating regulatory changes and enhancing accessibility across the retail journey.
The day featured a strong programme of speakers, each bringing specialist knowledge and real-world experience to the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare retailers today.
Clare Bailey, the founder of The Retail Champion, delivered the keynote session, sharing insights on how retailers can stand out and thrive in an increasingly competitive and customer-driven market.
Jolie and Imali from Inkfire explored how retailers can approach social media more effectively, focusing on choosing the right platforms, and embedding accessibility into digital communications.
Mark Crane, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, led a session on consumer law compliance, outlining key regulatory developments and what they mean for retailers in practice.
Cath Cashman from the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) presented on designing an accessible retail journey, drawing on extensive research to highlight barriers and opportunities across both online and in-store experiences.
Clare Bailey’s keynote challenged retailers to raise the bar on customer experience, emphasising that being ‘good’ is no longer enough as expectations rise and customers have more choice.
A core message was the emotional context of healthcare retail: customers are often making difficult, unexpected decisions and are seeking reassurance, not just products. Every touchpoint matters, and the experience does not stop at the till. Websites, phone calls, delivery, and aftercare are all part of one connected journey.
Clare highlighted a common disconnect: retailers sell independence, confidence, and quality of life, but the experience can feel clinical or transactional, requiring a more human and consistent approach.
Inkfire’s session offered a refreshing perspective on social media, encouraging retailers to focus less on doing more and more on doing what matters.
A central message was that social media is fundamentally about communication, not performance. Rather than trying to be present on every platform or chasing trends, retailers should prioritise the channels that best align with their audience, capacity, and goals.
Accessibility was a major theme throughout the session. With disabled spending power, often referred to as the purple pound, worth £274 billion annually, ensuring content is accessible is not only the right thing to do, but also a clear business opportunity. Practical steps such as using alt text, captions, clear formatting, and readable design can make a meaningful difference.
The speakers also highlighted the importance of trust and consistency. Success on social media is less about likes and views, and more about meaningful engagement – such as enquiries, messages, and clicks. Ultimately, content should help customers feel confident in choosing a retailer.
Mark Crane’s session provided retailers with a clear overview of the evolving consumer law landscape, with a particular focus on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
The session highlighted the increasing enforcement powers available to regulators, including the ability to impose significant fines and sanctions for non-compliance. This reinforces the importance of ensuring that all aspects of a retail business – from pricing, and promotions to customer communications – meet legal requirements.
Key areas of focus included unfair commercial practices, fake reviews, subscription models, pricing transparency, and product claims. Mark explained that claims suggesting a product, service, brand, or business is better for the environment or health must be truthful, clear, fair, meaningful, and backed by evidence. For example, practices such as ‘drip pricing’, misleading promotions, or unsubstantiated claims can expose businesses to risk if not handled correctly.
Mark also highlighted the importance of taking a holistic approach to compliance across the customer journey, ensuring each stage is clear, fair, and transparent.
Retailers can also refer to the BHTA’s Pricing Practices and Price Transparency policy advice note, produced in association with Addleshaw Goddard, for further support on keeping pricing clear, fair, and compliant.
Cath Cashman’s presentation drew on RiDC’s Re-imagining Retail research, based on 955 survey responses, alongside interviews and a disabled steering group, to understand barriers and improve accessibility across the retail journey.
The research found that 98 percent of disabled people who shop in-store face barriers, one in two regularly abandon shops due to inaccessibility, and 67 percent experience difficulties navigating aisles. Accessibility issues can occur at every stage of the journey, from finding information online to navigating stores and completing purchases.
The session emphasised that the retail journey begins before a customer even leaves their home, with many needing clear information to plan visits, or deciding not to visit at all without it.
In-store, practical improvements such as step-free access, wider aisles, clear signage, seating areas, and accessible facilities can significantly improve the experience. Staff training and awareness are equally important, ensuring that teams are equipped to provide appropriate support and assistance.
Improving accessibility includes ensuring step-free access, clear layouts, accessible facilities, trained staff, and strong communication of accessibility information online.
On 22 April 2026, industry professionals gathered in Northampton for the BHTA Retailers’ Day, a focused event for mobility and assistive technology retailers.
Titled ‘AI in Mobility and Independent Living Retail – Practical Tools Without Losing the Human Touch’, and led by Clare Bailey from The Retail Champion, the panel brought together:
The discussion centred on how AI can be used in practical ways without losing the trust, empathy, and personalised service that define the sector.
Retailers are moving from fear, to curiosity, to adoption. In many cases, AI is already being used informally. As David noted, bringing that usage into the open is often the first step towards using it effectively.
Panellists framed AI as an enabler. The focus was on starting small, testing low-risk tasks, and building confidence over time. This was described as a change management process, requiring internal buy-in and clear direction.
Clare Bailey encouraged a simple starting point: use AI to capture ideas, structure thoughts, or draft content. These small wins quickly demonstrate value.
Martyn Sibley added a lived-experience perspective, explaining how AI has helped him overcome dexterity challenges and improve productivity, highlighting its role as both a business and accessibility tool.
AI’s strongest impact is in improving efficiency, consistency, and quality by reducing routine admin work. Common uses include drafting content, summarising information, automating repetitive tasks, and supporting research and scheduling.
David explained that within the BHTA, this has freed up time to reinvest into member engagement and face-to-face activity.
Steve emphasised that success should be judged by outcomes: if customers experience faster, more relevant service, AI is working. If they notice the AI itself, something has gone wrong.
Human interaction remains central in mobility and independent living retail. AI cannot replicate empathy, judgement, or relationship-building, and these remain key differentiators.
Instead, AI should support staff by handling routine work and enabling more meaningful customer interactions.
The panel also raised the risk of over-automation. If time saved is not reinvested, or if technology removes valuable human experiences, it can have negative consequences.
Alastair stressed the importance of understanding customer comfort levels. Some customers will embrace automation, while others may find it unsettling. Retailers must judge where technology adds value and where the human touch remains essential.
AI can support the entire customer journey, from discovery to aftercare.
In marketing, the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search is significant. Retailers must consider how their content appears in tools like ChatGPT, not just Google. This increases the importance of high-quality, informative content that answers real customer questions.
Long-form, story-led content and strong brand identity were highlighted as key. As AI increasingly mediates recommendations, trusted brands are more likely to be surfaced.
Accuracy is also critical. AI outputs reflect the information available online, meaning retailers must ensure their content is consistent and up to date. Poor or generic AI-generated content can damage credibility, as customers can often recognise it.
AI also enables more personalised engagement. As Martyn noted: “I think the benefit with AI is we can understand what large swathes of consumers need and want and provide more bespoke service.” However, this should support conversations, not replace them.
In aftercare, AI is already being used to improve responsiveness. Alastair described how AI-driven triage systems can resolve many support queries, particularly outside working hours, allowing staff to focus on more complex cases.
Education is essential for effective adoption. Retailers were encouraged to set aside time to learn, experiment, and build internal knowledge.
Alastair highlighted support options such as local growth hubs, Innovate UK funding, and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which can help fund both technology and learning.
The panel also noted that AI is evolving rapidly, and different tools have different strengths. Retailers should focus on understanding where each tool adds value, rather than adopting technology for its own sake.
While the outlook was positive, several risks were highlighted:
For retailers starting out with AI, the advice was simple: begin with low-risk tasks, test and refine outputs, and expand gradually. Maintain oversight, focus on quality, and use AI to support – not replace – what people do best.
The overall sentiment of the panel was that when used thoughtfully, AI can free up time, improve service, and strengthen the human elements that matter most.
The author used AI to help prepare this article.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has produced a new report analysing product spend within the NHS Supply Chain Framework for Orthotics, Podiatry and Immobilisation. This information is exclusively available to BHTA members.
This insight has been made possible through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the BHTA, providing members with valuable visibility into NHS procurement activity that is not routinely available.
Covering the first full year of the framework (March 2025 – March 2026), the report highlights key trends in spend, product usage, and demand across the sector. It provides a detailed breakdown of where NHS expenditure is concentrated, alongside insights into high-volume product categories and purchasing patterns.
The findings offer members a unique opportunity to better understand market dynamics, identify areas of demand, and support informed strategic decision-making within the orthotics and prosthetics sector.
The BHTA is also exploring opportunities to obtain similar data for the prosthetics framework and will look to secure comparable insights from other framework providers, further strengthening the support available to members.
Members of the Prosthetics and Orthotic Section can download the full report here.
BHTA members are invited to contribute to a new industry survey exploring the barriers to developing health technologies for children.
According to the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health and Innovate UK Business Connect, medical technology continues to transform adult healthcare. However, progress within paediatric healthcare has not kept pace.
Despite children representing around 20 percent of the UK population, relatively few technologies are designed specifically for paediatric use. This highlights a wider, systemic challenge across the sector.
To better understand these issues, a short, confidential survey has been launched for organisations working in medical technology and health innovation.
The survey asks whether organisations have considered entering the child health sector and invites respondents to rate key barriers, including regulatory requirements, funding availability, clinical trial complexity, and access to paediatric expertise. It also explores challenges such as scaling technologies, co-designing with children and young people, and the commercial viability of the sector.
Insights gathered will help inform engagement with policymakers, investors, and industry partners, supporting future strategy for paediatric health innovation.
The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete and is open to all medtech organisations. Responses will be treated confidentially and anonymised in any published outputs.
A summary of findings is expected in summer 2026, followed by a programme of events to address the most commonly reported barriers.
The BHTA encourages its members to take part and share their expertise to help shape a more inclusive healthcare technology landscape.
Deadline: 15 April 2026
NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) has issued an update on the potential impact of ongoing geopolitical disruption in the Middle East, saying it is taking proactive steps to protect product availability and maintain continuity of supply.
NHSSC said the situation has increased the risk of disruption for suppliers with facilities or commodity dependencies in the region. It also noted an ongoing cost risk linked to core commodity pricing, as well as knock-on effects for other components and materials.
The organisation said a coordinated, intelligence-led response has been underway across its supply chain, resilience, and category teams. This has included a focused review of suppliers with upstream facilities in the Middle East, with identified suppliers contacted directly for assurances on continuity plans, logistics routes, and any emerging constraints.
NHSSC also said it has used risk analytics data to identify suppliers with elevated cyber-risk profiles. These suppliers have been contacted to confirm the cyber protection measures they have in place and to provide reassurance that there is no onward threat to NHS systems or supply continuity.
In addition, teams are carrying out continuous horizon scanning to identify early indicators of disruption, including transport route instability and cyber threat activity, with insights shared across operational teams to support rapid decision-making and prioritisation. Commodity-level forecasting is also being used to identify products of concern and anticipate potential shortages; where appropriate, stockholding has been increased to build resilience and maintain continuity of supply.
For BHTA members, the position remains one of close monitoring rather than immediate widespread disruption. The BHTA has produced a member-only update on UK business supply chain disruption in the Middle East, which members can access for further context on current developments.
The BHTA has also published member-only fuel resilience and continuity planning guidance, signposting practical considerations for businesses reviewing their resilience planning.
The BHTA will continue to monitor developments relevant to the healthcare and assistive technology sector and share further updates where useful.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is developing a new initiative known as the MedTech Compass, designed to support more effective and consistent procurement decisions across the NHS. While still in development, the MedTech Compass represents a move towards a more streamlined, value-focused approach to how medical technologies are assessed and adopted.
Here’s what BHTA members need to know about the MedTech Compass.
At its core, the MedTech Compass is intended to enable smarter procurement decisions by allowing NHS organisations to compare products side by side based on value rather than price alone. It is designed so that a single set of supplier data can be submitted once and reused across multiple procurement processes.
This approach aims to support more consistent and transparent decision-making, reduce duplication across NHS procurement, and improve efficiency for both suppliers and buyers. The MedTech Compass has been described as a comparison-style tool, intended to support procurement teams and clinicians in making more informed choices.
The MedTech Compass is currently progressing through its development phases. The programme began with a discovery phase to assess user needs and market challenges. This has been followed by the alpha phase (November 2025 to March 2026), where concepts are being tested through a prototype. A beta phase is expected during the 2026/27 financial year to build and test the full system, followed by a live service rollout across the NHS in 2027/28.
The alpha phase has recently passed a Government Digital Service assessment with a Green rating. DHSC is expected to progress to procurement for the beta phase through an Invitation to Tender, with the beta likely to begin in summer 2026 and run for approximately 12 months.
For suppliers, the MedTech Compass has the potential to reduce administrative burden and simplify engagement with NHS procurement.
By enabling a “submit once, use many times” approach to data, it should reduce the need to repeatedly provide the same information across different procurement exercises, improve clarity around requirements, and support more predictable and consistent evaluation criteria.
At the same time, suppliers will need to ensure that their product data is comprehensive, accurate, and aligned with the value-based metrics the MedTech Compass is expected to prioritise.
The MedTech Compass is intended to support NHS procurement teams and clinicians by providing a structured way to assess and compare technologies.
Rather than focusing solely on price, the system is expected to incorporate a broader definition of value, including factors such as clinical outcomes, system efficiency, and wider benefits to the healthcare system.
By standardising how information is presented and assessed, the MedTech Compass aims to reduce variation across organisations and support faster, more consistent decision-making.
For additional context on wider medtech policy developments, members can read our previous article on the MedTech Strategy and DHSC initiatives.
The April 2026 NHSSC (NHSSC) supplier webinar highlighted several important developments for suppliers, with a particular focus on cyber resilience requirements, supplier processes, and upcoming engagement expectations. Below is a summary of the key updates for BHTA members.
Presented by Liam Donaghy and Hannah Shelton (NHS England), this session focused on the increasing importance of cyber security across the health and social care system.
Suppliers are a critical part of the NHS supply chain and are increasingly being targeted as a potential route into the wider system. As cyber threats grow in frequency and sophistication, there is a stronger expectation for suppliers to take an active role in protecting systems and services.
The NHS Cyber Improvement Programme is a national initiative designed to strengthen cyber resilience across health and social care. See the slide below for more information on the programme.
A key development is the next phase of cyber engagement, including the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) remediation process. This follows a national open letter to suppliers and signals increased engagement across the sector.
Suppliers can expect engagement on key cyber security controls, requests for supporting evidence where appropriate, and a more coordinated, risk-based approach to assurance. There will also be a continued effort to reduce duplicated requests across NHS organisations.
Suppliers are encouraged to review requirements such as the Cyber Security Supply Chain Charter and prepare for upcoming engagement.
Suppliers can also engage with the programme through webinars, consultations, and pilot activities. For further information or queries, suppliers can contact: england.cyberimprovement@nhs.net
Presented by Lisa Harmsworth, this session highlighted the importance of maintaining accurate supplier contact information.
NHSSC has identified that supplier contact data is not always up to date, which can impact communication and delay issue resolution. To address this, a structured approach to contact management is being introduced.
Five core supplier contact categories are being established to support effective communication and escalation. See the slide below for further details.
Suppliers will be contacted in the coming months to verify and update their contact details. There is an expectation that suppliers will provide accurate contact information, notify NHSSC of any internal staff changes, and regularly review and confirm contact details.
Maintaining accurate contact data will support more efficient communication, clearer escalation processes, and improved supply chain resilience.
Presented by Steph Holmes-Fletcher, this session outlined NHSSC’s policy on supplier novation.
Supplier novation refers to changes in how framework agreements, contracts, or awarded lots are transferred between suppliers under NHSSC (Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL)) arrangements.
The slide below explains SCCL’s novation policy.
Presented by Hamish Makanji, NHSSC provided a brief update on the NHS Core List.
The NHS Core List is a broader NHS initiative, being implemented by NHSSC, which aims to standardise commonly used products and reduce unwarranted variation across the system.
The programme continues to develop, with a pipeline of product categories under review and ongoing engagement planned with suppliers once this pipeline is established.
Suppliers can share suggestions or feedback on NHS Core List opportunities by contacting CoreList@supplychain.nhs.uk.
For a more detailed overview of the NHS Core List and its implications, see our previous article.
BHTA will continue to monitor developments from NHSSC and share relevant updates with members.
Written by the BHTA’s Bill Lee, Head of Policy and Compliance, and Sarah Sarsby, Communications Manager. The authors used AI to help prepare this article.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has published its BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026, building on the 2023–24 Manifesto to reflect both sector progress and a rapidly evolving health and social care landscape.
First launched in Parliament, the original Manifesto set out five key areas requiring government attention, centred on stronger collaboration between industry, policymakers and healthcare professionals. Since then, BHTA has seen its “Five Rs” begin to translate into action across government and key stakeholders including DBT, DHSC, MHRA, NHS, NHSE and NICE.
The BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 sharpens this momentum into delivery, setting out five clear priority areas:
Together, these priorities form a practical roadmap for how industry and the NHS can work in partnership to deliver better outcomes, faster innovation, and a more sustainable system.
The BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 provides clarity for BHTA members navigating an increasingly complex policy environment, highlighting where industry can lead, from enabling community-based care to supporting innovation uptake and responding to regulatory change. At the same time, it reinforces to government and the NHS the value of working in partnership with a trusted, ethical healthtech sector to improve outcomes and system efficiency.
To explore the implications of the BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 through a government affairs lens, the BHTA spoke to Bob Russell, Market Access and Government Affairs Director, UK at Hollister, and a member of the BHTA Board.
When asked which of the five key policy areas in the BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 is most important, Bob highlighted partnership and prevention:
“In particular Freeing NHS Capacity through Partnership and Prevention – this recognises the vital role that we, and indeed all BHTA members, can play in supporting the NHS 10 Year Plan and working in true partnership to give better user outcomes”
He emphasised that, if progress could only be made in one area of the five areas of the manifesto, this would be the most impactful for the sector as a whole:
“I think that it as above – this to me is fundamental to achieve. For many years, the concept of partnerships has been talked about but not necessarily implemented to its fullest extent. I believe we are now in an environment where those partnerships will become increasingly important and meaningful as BHTA members help the NHS meet its 10 Year Plan.”
Looking ahead, Bob also pointed to the importance of staying ahead of regulatory developments:
“I think navigating the evolving regulatory environment successfully will be key. Recently announced legislative changes and factor such as ongoing MHRA consultations mean that BHTA members will need to keep very informed as to any potential impacts.”
He concluded by recognising the strength of the updated manifesto and its role in shaping future dialogue:
“The BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 is a very comprehensive document, and I believe focuses on the key areas that are important to members. I am pleased to see the impact of the original 2023-24 Manifesto themes and the dialogue it has opened with key stakeholders. This update advances those themes in a significant fashion through setting clear priorities and actions.”
The BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 sets out a clear roadmap for how industry, government and the NHS can work together to deliver better outcomes, accelerate innovation and build a more sustainable health system.
Read the full BHTA Manifesto Policy Update 2026 to explore the priorities and actions in detail and understand how the sector can help shape the future of UK healthtech.
Over 30 British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) members attended this year’s Naidex, showcasing a wide range of exciting and innovative products and services. BHTA members reported very positive feedback from customers at the show, enjoyed speaking to people face-to-face, and connected with new and familiar faces.
From commercial insurance for businesses and a National Mobility Equipment Register to award-winning powerchairs and single grip hands, Naidex 2026 proved a successful event for members. Here’s what they had to say about the event:
Kylie Evans – Mark Bates
“We’re particularly excited to showcase the National Mobility Equipment Register at Naidex, which is provided by Mark Bates. This new register means people can register their mobility equipment through the site on a central database. The idea is that the police will have access to this database so that if someone’s equipment is stolen, the database will enable the individual to be reunited with their product.
“There will be lots of useful information on the website for people with mobility needs. For example, the register will provide information on where accessible toilets are. The register will also collate manufacturer’s mobility equipment manuals so that people can access all the information they need to do with their product.”
Kate Turner – Merits Health Products
“We’re excited to showcase our Axcel range of powerchairs at Naidex 2026. The entire Merits range is new to the UK, so Naidex has been a hard launch for all of the products on display.
“Naidex has been really good with lots of positive conversations about our range and how we can help people with their mobility needs. Our front-wheel-drive products and cushions have been particularly popular.”
Dan Atherton – Cyclone Mobility
“We’re excited to showcase our range of Batec products at Naidex this year. We’ve had very positive feedback from consumers about all of our products. In particular, we’ve had good-quality conversations with consumers and more interest in our products this year at Naidex compared to previous years.”
“The InnoWalk is our flagship product, which we’re excited to showcase at Naidex. It’s a dynamic standing solution, a bit like a cross trainer. We’ve upgraded the older model to include features like swivel seats and adjustable arm movers. We’ve had a very positive and busy show.”
“We’re most excited to showcase our new range of powerchairs and electric scooters, particularly the Hero powerchair because it’s unlike anything else in the market.
“Naidex has been great. We won the Best in Show Award for our Hero powered wheelchair. I’m super proud of my team who have managed to help us get the award. It is a team effort: from the sourcing of the product, purchasing it, paying for it, and showing it at an event. Every single one of my team members are attributable for getting this award, so a massive thanks to my team.”
Nathan Milgate – Triride
“We’ve got some new models and new motors in our front power-assist devices, so Naidex is a really exciting opportunity for us to showcase those to our end-users and give the opportunity for test drives.
“The two motor upgrades provide better pulling power, more capability for using the devices at walking paces, pavement speeds, and accesses the terrain that customers are likely to want to go on – on-road and off-road – in an easier fashion.”
Matthew James – Precision Rehab
“We’re showing the ibot for the first time at Naidex. This year, we’ve introduced power positioning on it. Some of our customers, who were going from more complex chairs, wanted to go up the stairs and to use balanced mode and four-wheel-drive, but they also didn’t want to lose the functions they had in their current chair. So now we’ve introduced features like power recline, lay flat, and an electric leg rest as additional features, without losing the original features.
“We’re a top-end powered wheelchair specialist. We only sell powered wheelchairs, and they’re generally all advanced powerchairs.
“It’s always good to get products in front of people, especially our more complicated, high-end products where they have a lot of features. If you said to someone that an ibot is £30,000 to £50,000, they don’t realise what it does. When they come and see the product in person, they can see what it’s doing for that price. They can see that it’s going up and downstairs, balancing, and going over soft sand and gravel. A lot of people have two or three chairs, whereas the ibot does everything in one product, which actually works out cheaper.”
“We’ve been most excited to showcase Myosmart, a new pattern recognition system for patients. We’ve been able to use the assessment cuff live on stand for people to try it.
“At Naidex, we exhibited the Myosmart and Speedhand, a single grip hand, which are both new products. The last single grip hand was from the 1960s, so launching Speedhand provides a long-overdue and exciting refresh.
“It’s been valuable to be able to do some real-time assessments on people at Naidex as well.”
Drew Fullalove – Monarch Mobility
“We’re excited to our showcase new line of carbon fibre powerchairs. These are all very lightweight, from around 11 to 16 kilos. We’ve also got our brand-new Onyx and Obsidian ranges to showcase.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from customers, with people saying that our products are mind-blowing and that they wish they’d had them sooner. We’ve had especially positive feedback around our folding products and colour options. We’ve gone with a matte finish, which is quite new and a bit different.”
Stuart Hill – Laybrook
“Naidex is a good opportunity to explain our new promotions, beds, and mechanisms to customers. We’re exhibiting our prototype, which is a platform type that helps people who are taller or shorter than the average person. We’ve also got a four-motor mechanism. It’s something that we had beforehand called the Empress. But this new four-motor brings up the legs higher than the heart, which helps people with lymphoedema. We’ve also got new mattresses, so we’re informing people that we can put a firm edge on both sides of the mattress, should they want that. We’ve got new massage systems which are wireless as well as some new accessories. We’ve got something new for everybody.
“Every year we’ve done Naidex, the week afterwards delivers some really good leads for us to talk to, show them what we can achieve, and go into a little bit more detail, and this is where the customer gets a bit more confidence about what Laybrook can offer.”
Kirsty Garvey – First Senior Group
“We offer services to customers, and we work closely with dealers, who we offer finance through. We’ve got specialised travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and we’ve got new commercial insurance for businesses.
“We try to come to Naidex every year, as it’s very important for us to meet new and existing dealerships and customers face-to-face, so we can get to know them better and build strong relationships.”
Richard Holland-Oakes – Recare
“We’re excited to showcase the the new Blake Medical cushions that we’re distributing, and they’ve shown a lot of interest. We’ve also had interest in the Wolturnus active rigid wheelchairs.
“We’ve also got the new Benoit wheelchair power add-on system. Everybody in the industry probably knows the Benoit system, but this is now a thinner, lighter, less ironmongery way of looking at a product. That’s been really well received.
“The main reason we attend Naidex is to get enquiries but also book assessments to go out to people.”
Jolene Istan – CareTech
“We’re excited to showcase our rehabilitation services that we provide within CareTech and Oakleaf Group. Having a stand at Naidex around the rehab and neuro area has been absolutely great for us.
“From an exhibitor point of view, it’s great to attend industry events like Naidex because we’ve been able to make contacts which could potentially lead to support some individuals within their rehab journey that haven’t heard about us before.
“From a personal point of view, it’s been really great watching people getting in motorised walking systems and listening to their stories. I’ve had goosebumps quite a few times over the past couple of days listening to people’s journeys. So it’s been great from a personal and business perspective.”
Cyber security remains a growing concern for UK organisations, particularly those operating within healthcare and associated supply chains. Insights from a recent webinar hosted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) highlight both the scale of current threats and the practical steps organisations can take to protect themselves.
The most significant threat facing UK businesses today is ransomware. However, ransomware attacks are rarely isolated incidents—they are typically enabled by common vulnerabilities and everyday behaviours within organisations.
Three of the most frequent entry points for attackers are:
Other common threats include denial-of-service attacks, spam, and business email compromise.
While threat actors may include state-sponsored groups or independent criminals, the distinction between them is increasingly blurred. Key state actors of concern include Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. However, for organisations affected by an attack, attribution is often less important—the priority is restoring systems and minimising disruption.
The healthcare sector is a particularly attractive target for cyber attackers due to:
Cyber incidents can have serious operational and financial consequences. In severe cases, attacks can threaten the viability of entire businesses and lead to prolonged recovery periods.
Supply chains are also increasingly targeted. Attackers often focus on smaller organisations within a supply chain, where protections may be weaker. Once compromised, these organisations can act as a gateway to larger, more secure entities. Many supply chain breaches stem from basic weaknesses, particularly phishing attacks.
Managing supply chain risk has become a critical priority. In recent years, many organisations have struggled due to suppliers not fully understanding cyber security risks, a lack of effective tools to evaluate supplier security, and limited visibility across supply chains.
To address this, there is a growing expectation—particularly among larger organisations—that suppliers demonstrate strong cyber security credentials. The Cyber Essentials scheme is now widely recognised as a baseline standard and is increasingly required by the NCSC and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) across large organisations’ supply chains.
The NCSC’s Cyber Essentials Supply Chain Playbook is a valuable resource that helps organisations assess supplier risk, improve visibility across supply chains, and set appropriate security requirements for partners.
Practical steps organisations can take
Improving cyber security does not need to be complex or costly. The NCSC emphasises that many effective measures are straightforward to implement.
Key actions include:
Preparation is critical to minimising the impact of an attack. Organisations should develop a clear incident response plan, recognising that the first 24 hours of an incident are particularly crucial for an effective response.
This should include ensuring staff understand their roles and responsibilities, planning how to communicate during an incident (especially if systems such as email are unavailable), and regularly testing response plans using tools such as NCSC’s Exercise in a Box.
Testing and refining these plans are essential to ensure they remain effective.
Further guidance and support is available from a range of UK government and cyber security organisations, including the NCSC website, which hosts all tools and guidance, as well as government guidance such as the ministerial letter to large organisations and the ministerial letter to small organisations.
For additional support on supply chain cyber security, organisations can contact: supplychain@iasme.co.uk
Cyber threats continue to evolve, but the steps needed to improve resilience are well understood and accessible. By using the guidance and tools available, BHTA members can significantly reduce their risk and strengthen their overall cyber security posture.
Members are encouraged to review the resources referenced throughout this article and take proactive steps to ensure their organisations are prepared.
BHTA members involved in NHS tenders are encouraged to take part in a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) industry readiness survey on value-based procurement (VBP).
This survey provides an opportunity for companies across the health technology sector to share their perspectives and help shape how VBP is implemented across the NHS in England.
Value-based procurement shifts the focus from reducing product costs to delivering better outcomes and lowering total costs across the patient pathway.
NHS Supply Chain is working with the NHS and industry to apply this approach in practice, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and deliver measurable benefits such as increased productivity, reduced infection rates, and improved patient outcomes.
The approach also supports closer collaboration between suppliers, procurement teams, and healthcare providers, with a focus on delivering long-term value to the health system.
More information on VBP can be found in this BHTA article.
DHSC has developed national VBP standard guidance, currently being piloted by 13 NHS Trusts, with publication expected in summer 2026.
The survey has been designed to assess industry readiness and understand organisational attitudes towards VBP. Findings will inform DHSC’s implementation plans and support the transition to value-based approaches across the NHS.
It asks organisations to provide:
Responses are confidential and will not be shared with third parties.
Relevant members are encouraged to submit a response before the deadline via the value-based procurement survey.
Members involved in NHS tenders or expecting to be impacted by changes to procurement frameworks are particularly encouraged to participate.
MPs have urged the government to consider a national strategy for disability equipment provision after a Westminster Hall debate highlighted delays in wheelchair services, shortages in housing adaptations, and inconsistent access to assistive equipment across the UK.
Opening the debate, Seamus Logan MP said disability equipment plays a crucial role in supporting independence and quality of life for millions of people.
“Around 25% of the UK population are disabled,” Seamus said ahead of the debate. “The provision of disability equipment is of paramount importance to many across the UK. When provided, it can significantly improve quality of life and independence.”
Seamus said the debate would focus particularly on wheelchair provision, housing adaptations, and wider barriers disabled people face when trying to access equipment that enables everyday living.
Several MPs used the debate to highlight long waiting times and uneven access to equipment depending on where people live.
John Hayes MP pointed to NHS England data suggesting that around 70% of wheelchair users wait more than three months for equipment, while roughly 30% wait longer than six months, and around 15% more than a year.
MPs argued that these delays can significantly affect independence, employment, and daily life for disabled people.
Jim Shannon MP said that while appropriate equipment can transform lives, many people with complex needs are waiting too long to receive it. In some cases, Jim noted, individuals have resorted to crowdfunding to obtain suitable wheelchairs.
Helen Maguire MP highlighted wider structural pressures affecting services, including staffing shortages, supply chain issues, and variation in local authority processes, which Helen said were contributing to delays and inconsistent provision.
Daniel Francis MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Access to Disability Equipment, argued that the current system is fragmented and lacks clear national direction.
Drawing on findings from the APPG inquiry (see the full report: APPG for Access to Disability Equipment report), Daniel said the collapse of major supplier NRS Healthcare had exposed weaknesses in the current model of provision.
Daniel and other MPs called for the government to consider introducing a national strategy for community equipment to improve oversight, strengthen accountability, and ensure more consistent access for disabled people.
Housing adaptations were also raised as a significant challenge during the debate. MPs pointed to shortages of adapted housing, long waits for assessments, and cases where people were told necessary adaptations could not be carried out.
Some contributors warned that even when adaptations are delivered, they are not always designed in ways that genuinely improve independence and quality of life.
Responding for the Government, Social Care Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed acknowledged that some wheelchair services are underperforming and that waiting times in parts of the system remain too long.
However, he defended the current structure in England, where integrated care boards commission services to meet local health needs, while local authorities hold statutory duties for providing community equipment in the home.
The minister said NHS planning guidance already requires integrated care boards to reduce waiting times for wheelchair services, with performance monitoring due to be strengthened from 2026–27.
He also pointed to increased use of Personal Health Budgets, and confirmed that £723 million in Disabled Facilities Grant funding would be available in 2026–27 to support housing adaptations.
While he stopped short of committing to a national strategy, the minister said he would write to colleagues responsible for disability policy and quality frameworks to share concerns raised during the debate.
The debate underscored growing concern across Parliament about delays, fragmentation, and accountability in disability equipment provision.
For the sector, the discussion signals increasing political attention on the need for more coordinated planning, improved procurement resilience, and better access to assistive technology that enables disabled people to live independently.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is aware of a Field Safety Notice issued by BHTA member company Arjo concerning certain Tenor patient lifts.
This article shares important safety information for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and facilities that use or manage the affected devices.
Arjo has identified a potential issue affecting the lifting actuator used in certain Arjo Tenor lifts, as well as certain spare part actuators (TEN.107 and RKT.560).
During internal product testing at Arjo’s manufacturing site, an anomaly was detected in the behaviour of the lifting actuator. Further investigation confirmed that an internal component supplied by a third-party manufacturer may not meet the required mechanical strength specifications.
In rare circumstances, this could result in the actuator losing its ability to hold the load and cause a rapid, uncontrolled downward movement of the lifting arm.
The issue cannot be detected during normal pre‑use checks and would only become apparent if the component were to fail.
If an affected actuator were to fail during use, the lifting arm could move downwards unexpectedly. This may expose patients and caregivers to potential injury.
Potential outcomes include falls, head injury, or other serious trauma for patients being lifted. Caregivers in close proximity to the device could also be at risk of musculoskeletal injuries, such as sprains, fractures, or other physical injuries.
Arjo has confirmed that no incidents or adverse events have been reported, and the issue was identified through internal testing.
The Field Safety Notice applies to specific Arjo Tenor lifts manufactured between 6 March 2025 and 28 November 2025, along with certain spare part actuators.
Affected units can be identified by their serial number, which is located on the right-hand side of the lift mast.
Healthcare facilities and service providers should check the serial number on each device against the list of affected units provided by Arjo or a local Arjo representative.
Arjo has instructed that all potentially affected Tenor lifts must be removed from service immediately and must not be used until the corrective action has been completed.
Healthcare facilities and organisations with potentially affected devices should:
If a Tenor lift has been transferred or sold to another facility, this information should be included in the response form so that the affected device can be traced and corrected.
Arjo will carry out a Field Safety Corrective Action consisting of the replacement of the affected lifting actuator with an updated component that meets the required mechanical specifications.
The actuator replacement will be carried out free of charge by Arjo service personnel, restoring the device to safe operating condition.
Until the actuator has been replaced, affected lifts must remain out of service. The devices do not need to be returned or destroyed, as the corrective action will be performed on-site.
Healthcare professionals and facilities are encouraged to review the official Field Safety Notice on the MHRA website for full details, including the list of affected serial numbers and response instructions.
For further information regarding this Field Safety Notice or assistance with the corrective action, healthcare providers should contact their local Arjo representative.
This communication is intended to ensure that BHTA members, healthcare professionals, and device users are aware of the manufacturer’s corrective action and the steps required to support continued patient and caregiver safety.
NHS Supply Chain’s March 2026 supplier webinar included a number of updates for suppliers, but two are particularly important for BHTA members: changes to the Economic and Financial Standing (EFS) guidance note, and clarification around distributor and subcontractor arrangements.
On EFS, NHS Supply Chain said the government guidance note on Economic and Financial Standing was updated on 31 December 2025, with NHSSC revising its own approach in response. NHSSC said the underlying methodology was first introduced through Procurement Policy Note guidance in 2023, later embedded into the Procurement Act 2023, and has been reflected in its Invitation to Tender documentation since spring 2024.
NHSSC said it uses EFS to assess suppliers’ overall risk rating by testing and scoring five key financial ratios alongside a Dun & Bradstreet Failure Score, using the bronze scale. It said this is not a pass/fail measure for general award, but a contract management and risk tool. However, NHSSC noted that a supplier rated High, its highest level of concern, could still be excluded from mini competitions held after a general award.
NHSSC also said customers can ask to see a supplier’s EFS rating as part of their due diligence. Suppliers that are concerned about receiving a low score, or know they typically score red against some financial characteristics, can speak to NHSSC in advance through their Category Manager, provided this happens before they are in tender.
The main change is that the updated guidance now explicitly applies to framework-based awards. NHSSC said it will continue using the same tests as before, but with updated parameters, and the new ratios are set out in the revised guidance note. Suppliers can compare the old and new versions side by side to understand what has changed.
NHSSC said it will not amend its documentation or testing before 1 April 2026. It described the revised thresholds as generally tighter for the strongest ratings, while also saying that the changes appear limited in practice. Based on a broad sample of more than 500 current suppliers, fewer than 20 saw a change in their overall rating, with as many ratings improving as worsening.
The webinar also included an early heads-up on NHSSC’s compliance work around distributor and subcontractor arrangements within tenders. In simple terms, NHSSC should only pay invoices issued by an awarded supplier.
Where a distributor supports the party that has tendered for and secured a place on a framework, NHSSC said that distributor is effectively acting as a subcontractor. According to the example shared in the webinar, this arrangement is compliant provided the distributor has an agreement with the manufacturer that remains valid for the duration of the framework.
NHSSC indicated that this work is still under review and said any companies affected would be contacted individually. For BHTA members, the message is less about an immediate rule change and more about making sure contractual relationships, invoicing arrangements and framework responsibilities are aligned with the awarded supplier model.
Other webinar topics included the renaming of the Innovation Team to the Health Innovation Team Members also heard about NHSSC’s inbound logistics service, which provides end-to-end collection and delivery through a nationwide network used by more than 120 suppliers. The webinar also highlighted free support available through The King’s Trust, formerly The Prince’s Trust, which can help companies in high-need areas recruit young people into roles that support the health and social care sector, as part of its wider work to improve opportunities for young people in disadvantaged communities.
A new report from the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) has highlighted marked differences in how prosthetic and orthotic services are funded across the UK, raising questions about transparency, consistency, and equity within the current system.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), through its Prosthetic and Orthotic Section, supported publication of the report following an external review for clarity and factual presentation. While BHTA did not author the report or direct its conclusions, it has welcomed the findings as a useful contribution to discussion about how prosthetic and orthotic services are commissioned, funded, and tracked across the NHS.
The findings are set out in the report ‘Funding Prosthetic and Orthotic Services Across the UK’.
Prosthetic and orthotic services play an important role in supporting mobility, independence, and quality of life for people with limb loss, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, and other long-term health needs. Transparent and sustainable funding for these services is important not only for the people who rely on them, but also for the wider health system. Against a backdrop of rising demand and growing pressure on NHS budgets, the report focuses on whether current funding arrangements are sufficiently visible, consistent, and aligned with patient need.
The report draws on a UK-wide Freedom of Information exercise carried out in 2025, examining funding data from NHS Trusts and Health Boards over the five financial years from 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Its headline finding is the scale of regional variation in spend. For orthotics, reported spending ranged from £8.87 per head to £0.20 per head, a difference of around 44 to 1. For prosthetics, reported spending ranged from £7.57 per head to £0.49 per head, a difference of around 15.5 to 1. The report says this level of variation raises important questions about how funding is allocated and whether patients in different parts of the UK are experiencing very different levels of provision.
The report also points to significant gaps in financial visibility. More than 60 percent of organisations providing prosthetic or orthotic services were unable to supply complete five-year financial data. Of the 124 Trusts and Health Boards identified as providing relevant services, only 47 were able to provide complete data for one or both services. The report says this makes funding harder to track and accountability harder to assess.
Among the service lines where detailed data was available, the report identifies a difference between funding reported as received and funding reported as allocated directly to services. Across 61 service lines, around £379.9 million was reported as received over five years, while around £333 million was reported as reaching prosthetic and orthotic services. That leaves a gap of £46.93 million, equivalent to 12.35 percent of the total funding in the dataset, which the report says was not allocated directly to frontline prosthetic and orthotic service budgets and was instead retained at organisational level without transparent accounting for its use.
The analysis also examines the effect of inflation on service budgets. While nominal funding rose in some years, the report concludes that these increases often did not keep pace with cost pressures. In 2022/23, funding passed to the 61 service lines increased by 4.87 percent, while average CPI inflation was 10.04 percent, resulting in what the report describes as a real-terms cut of 5.17 percent. Across the period from 2022/23 to 2024/25, it estimates a cumulative loss of purchasing power of around £9.65 million.
Taken together, the findings present a picture of funding arrangements that the report describes as fragmented and difficult to scrutinise. Its central argument is that without clearer reporting and more consistent oversight, it is harder to assess whether prosthetic and orthotic services are being funded fairly and effectively.
The report proposes a number of measures aimed at improving transparency and accountability, including mandatory annual reporting of prosthetic and orthotic funding, a national dashboard to improve visibility of funding flows, independent audit of block contract arrangements, and the development of a clearer funding formula linked to population need and outcomes.
For the prosthetics and orthotics sector, the report adds to the evidence base around how funding decisions affect service sustainability and patient access. It also reflects a wider shift towards viewing commissioning through an outcomes-led clinical lens, rather than a purely procurement-led one.
The BHTA has highlighted the value of the report in helping inform constructive dialogue between industry, clinicians, commissioners, policymakers, and patient organisations.
As Ben Taylor, Chair of the BHTA Prosthetic and Orthotic Section, notes in the report:
“BHTA’s Prosthetic & Orthotic Group welcomes this report from BAPO as a timely contribution to improving understanding of how prosthetic and orthotic services are funded and how that funding is allocated and tracked across the system. The report highlights recurring themes that matter to patients and the sector alike: the need for greater visibility and transparency of funding flows, more consistent reporting and accountability, and commissioning decisions that are increasingly viewed through an outcomes-led clinical lens rather than a purely procurement-led one.
“BHTA has not authored this report and does not direct its conclusions; our role has been limited to external review for clarity and factual presentation, and we support its publication to enable constructive, evidence-informed discussion with clinicians, commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders on the changes needed to secure sustainable, equitable P&O provision.”
For the BHTA, the report is a useful contribution to ongoing discussion about how prosthetic and orthotic funding is tracked, allocated, and evaluated across the system. The association will continue to work alongside BAPO and wider stakeholders to support constructive engagement on the changes needed to secure sustainable and equitable prosthetic and orthotic provision across the UK.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has set out the Spring Forecast 2026 in Parliament, which delivers the UK Government’s spending plans and the economic outlook for the financial year ahead, alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s updated ‘Economic and fiscal outlook’.
The BHTA has highlighted some of the key points that may be relevant for member businesses.
The OBR projects that CPI inflation will fall from 3.4 percent in 2025 to 2.3 percent in 2026, reaching the 2 per cent target in late 2026. A lower inflation path may ease some the costs of supplies and running the business over time; however, the outlook emphasises uncertainty and the continued sensitivity of prices and wages to domestic and global conditions.
In addition, the government states that inflation is expected to reduce in 2026–27. If household budgets are less strained, some consumers may have more capacity to spend on health and wellbeing products, home adaptations, and mobility or daily living aids.
The government adds that the OBR expects living standards to rise over the Parliament, with people forecast to be over £1,000 a year better off after inflation.
However, no new measures or plans were announced in the Spring Forecast 2026 for the NHS, social care, or businesses.
David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the BHTA, said: “The Spring Forecast points to inflation returning to target sooner, and to households being better off after inflation, which should help to ease pressure on consumers and support business confidence.
“But the statement is light on new measures, and that is a missed opportunity to address some of the practical barriers facing the healthcare and assistive technology sector.
“Our members support independence at home and in the community, and help services to operate more efficiently, yet there were no new steps on long-standing priorities we have raised, including fair and sustainable funding for community equipment and wheelchair services, greater investment in home adaptations, and the removal of VAT on public access defibrillators.
“We are ready to work with government to ensure that future fiscal decisions support timely access to the products and services people rely on every day.”
Suppliers preparing to submit tenders to NHS Supply Chain should be aware of an important update to sustainability requirements taking effect from 6 April 2026. From this date, suppliers must have achieved Evergreen Level 1 in the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment by the point of tender close.
The Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment (“Evergreen”) is NHS England’s central platform for suppliers to report sustainability maturity and provide consistent sustainability data to NHS procurement teams. It replaces legacy tools such as the Carbon, Waste and Water Reduction Assessment (CWW) and forms part of the NHS’s broader net zero and sustainable procurement strategy.
Evergreen Level 1 represents the baseline sustainability standard that NHS Supply Chain expects suppliers to meet from April 2026.
To achieve Level 1, suppliers must:
A compliant CRP must include emissions data, a clear net zero commitment, board- or director-level approval, annual updates, and publication on the supplier’s website.
Level 1 does not require global emissions reporting or the full social value and modern slavery disclosures that apply at higher Evergreen levels.
Requiring Level 1 by April 2026 helps suppliers to build foundational carbon reporting practices ahead of 2027 requirements, align their reporting with NHS expectations at an early stage, avoid last‑minute compliance issues as standards tighten, and demonstrate credibility and readiness during tendering.
By setting a clear, achievable minimum standard, this approach supports suppliers to progress in a structured way towards the long‑term net zero commitments across the NHS.
Evergreen forms part of the NHS’s wider sustainability expectations for suppliers, often referred to as the “Five Supplier Asks”:
Suppliers must continue to meet all applicable requirements when bidding for and delivering NHS contracts. Achieving Evergreen Level 1 does not replace obligations under the other sustainability and compliance frameworks.
Suppliers intending to bid for NHS contracts should review their current carbon reporting position and ensure that their Carbon Reduction Plan meets PPN 006 requirements well in advance of April 2026.
It is important for suppliers to note that while Evergreen Level 1 will be mandatory from 6 April 2026, it will not form part of the scored evaluation criteria within NHS Supply Chain tenders. Suppliers must meet the required level at the point of tender close in order to be eligible, but their Evergreen maturity level will not attract additional weighting or contribute to qualitative scoring.
Looking beyond April 2026, further requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2027. At that point, suppliers will be expected to publicly report emissions reduction targets and publish a globally scoped Carbon Reduction Plan covering Scope 1–3 emissions.
For further support on Evergreen submissions, suppliers can contact the NHS Supply Chain Sustainability Team at sustainability@supplychain.nhs.uk.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has become aware of a Field Safety Notice issued by Convatec, which is a BHTA member, regarding specific lots of its Esteem Body drainable large pouches.
Convatec has initiated a voluntary Field Safety Corrective Action (product removal) following the identification of a manufacturing variation affecting the drainable tail section of certain pouches. The variation may result in leakage from the tail closure.
Distributors and end-users (healthcare facilities or direct customers) should review this notice carefully. It outlines the affected product codes and lot numbers, explains the nature of the identified issue, details the actions already taken by Convatec, and sets out the specific steps that distributors and end-users are required to follow.
Full details of the manufacturer’s Field Safety Notice can be viewed here.
The Field Safety Notice applies to specific UK product codes and lot numbers of Esteem Body drainable large pouches distributed within the timeframe outlined in the manufacturer’s notice.
Distributors and end-users are advised to refer to the official Field Safety Notice for the full list of affected product codes, the specific lot numbers involved, and the relevant distribution period. Only the lots identified in the notice are affected.
Convatec has completed an internal health hazard evaluation, which determined that the identified manufacturing variation may result in minor skin irritation in a limited number of users. The potential severity is considered low, according to Convatec, and no adverse events have been reported to date.
Convatec has confirmed that shipment of affected product has been stopped, and all remaining stock has been quarantined. Corrective and preventive measures are underway to prevent a reoccurrence, a voluntary Field Action across the impacted countries has been initiated, and all relevant regulatory authorities have been notified in accordance with applicable requirements.
Distributors of the affected product should:
All required steps and timelines are detailed in the official notice.
End-users and healthcare facilities, or direct customers, who may have the affected product should:
End-users with questions should contact Convatec Customer Services using the contact details provided in the Field Safety Notice.
This communication is issued to ensure that BHTA members, distributors, and end-users are aware of the manufacturer’s Field Safety Corrective Action and the steps required.
If you are a distributor or end-user of the affected Esteem Body drainable large pouches, please review the notice carefully, and take the appropriate action without delay.
The UK Government has announced a £4 billion investment to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The reforms aim to make every school truly inclusive and ensure children with additional needs receive better, more tailored support.
The government states that these reforms, outlined in the ‘Every child achieving and thriving‘ policy paper, will help end the postcode lottery of SEND support that too many families experience, ensuring more children – regardless of need – can attend their local school.
Several elements of the government’s plans are particularly relevant to BHTA members supplying assistive technology, mobility equipment, and accessible learning solutions:
Procurement will increasingly occur through both direct school-level purchasing and local authority-led commissioning, broadening the routes through which members may supply equipment and services.
Settings will also be held accountable for outcomes achieved through inclusion funding, which may increase demand for evidence-based products and supplier-provided training or evaluation support.
The introduction of new digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages may, over time, influence how equipment and interventions are specified and evidenced in schools.
Implementation will roll out gradually from 2026, with major capital investment and inclusion funding programmes continuing through to 2030. These measures signal sustained investment in inclusive design and adaptive technology across the education sector. BHTA members providing mobility, access, and assistive products may see greater demand from schools and local authorities upgrading their facilities or implementing early intervention support.
As implementation progresses, members are encouraged to track local procurement plans and explore partnerships with education and health services to support the delivery of these reforms.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a targeted consultation on proposals for the indefinite recognition of CE-marked medical devices in Great Britain (GB). The consultation seeks views on measures intended to protect patient access and ensure the continued supply of safe and effective medical technologies.
For BHTA medical device manufacturer members, this consultation is significant. The outcome will shape the long-term regulatory framework for CE-marked devices in GB, with implications for market access, certification planning and regulatory strategy. This is a key opportunity for members to help inform the final approach.
The consultation seeks views on three key proposals:
The MHRA has stated that indefinite recognition of CE-marked devices would help ensure continued patient access to essential medical technologies, while being delivered alongside a domestic route to market focused on supporting innovation.
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive at the MHRA said: “The number one request that the med tech industry made of us was to provide long term certainty over CE recognition. It is in the best of interests of British patients to ensure continued access to the latest medical devices approved in Europe. It is also in the best interests of the med tech sector to reduce friction and costs of doing business. We have listened carefully and acted on this clear and consistent feedback, which is why we are now pleased to consult on these proposals for indefinite recognition of CE marked medical devices.”
The proposals extend arrangements first introduced in 2023 to recognise CE-marked devices on the GB market and form part of the MHRA’s wider programme of medical device regulatory reform. They also align with wider government policy for other manufactured goods sectors where continued recognition of CE-marked goods has been agreed. Alongside these measures, the MHRA has confirmed that it will continue to strengthen post-market surveillance and improve information sharing with EU partners.
For members supplying CE-marked devices in GB, the consultation represents an important opportunity to provide practical feedback on how the proposed approach would operate in practice and to highlight any potential unintended consequences.
Respond to the MHRA consultation.
The consultation closes on 10 April 2026.
For 2026-2027, the UK Government has confirmed £723 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to enable older and disabled people to live safely, independently, and comfortably at home.
DFGs enable vital home adaptations, including installing equipment like level-access showers, grab rails, stairlifts, ramps, homelifts, and ceiling track hoists, so that people can live in their own homes independently.
For BHTA members installing adaptation equipment, this DFG announcement is welcome, as it means there is more money available in local authorities to facilitate these life-changing installations and improve individuals’ quality of life.
Home adaptations also play a crucial role in supporting the NHS by preventing falls and other accidents in the home, speeding up hospital discharges, and reducing admissions, all of which ease pressure on the health service and help to shift care out of hospital and into the community.
According to the government, the DFG supported around 60,000 people last year.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “We are putting more money into funding life-changing home adaptations so older and disabled people can live safely and independently.”
The 2026 to 2027 DFG allocations are:
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE) are developing a new MedTech Commercial & Growth Strategy to bring greater cohesion, efficiency, and innovation to the way the NHS buys and uses medical technology.
During a recent industry webinar, representatives from DHSC and NHSE outlined the aims of the strategy and emphasised the need for input from across the MedTech industry – including BHTA members – to help shape its development.
The NHS currently spends around £13 billion annually on medtech across six key categories: medical consumables, implants, equipment, pathology, and medtech digital systems. However, procurement remains fragmented, with duplication of effort, inconsistent standards, and missed opportunities for innovation.
The proposed strategy aims to bring commercial cohesion to this environment by aligning national and local procurement approaches, reducing duplication, and creating efficiencies that benefit both the health service and suppliers. This approach also supports key national frameworks, including the NHS 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, both of which prioritise innovation and improved patient outcomes.
The MedTech Commercial & Growth Strategy is designed to:
To deliver these objectives, DHSC and NHSE are developing three core outputs:
The programme is being developed collaboratively by DHSC, NHS England, and NHS Supply Chain, with input from industry partners and clinical experts. Dedicated sub-category teams – covering consumables, implants and devices, equipment, and medtech digital – will be supported by commercial and clinical experts from across the system, ensuring the strategy reflects the realities of front-line delivery.
BHTA was recognised in the webinar as a key trade association engaging with the programme, underlining the association’s central role in ensuring that members’ insights inform policy decisions.
The DHSC and NHSE are currently in the discovery phase, seeking to understand suppliers’ experiences, challenges, and opportunities through direct feedback. This engagement will help identify practical ways to improve procurement consistency, simplify market access, and accelerate adoption of innovative technologies.
BHTA members are strongly encouraged to share their views by completing the supplier feedback survey before 6 March 2026. Feedback from this survey will directly inform the next phase of the strategy’s development, including detailed category plans and pilot initiatives.
Complete the supplier feedback survey here.
BHTA encourages all members to contribute their feedback to ensure that the final strategy delivers tangible benefits for both the industry and patients. Members’ insights will help shape a more efficient, transparent, and innovation-friendly medtech environment across the NHS.
In addition, NHSE and DHSC are running the same MedTech Commercial & Growth Strategy industry webinar again on 10 March for suppliers who were unable the recent webinar. Members can register for this webinar here.
A recent House of Lords debate on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has highlighted long-standing challenges in wheelchair and community equipment provision — and how a proposed amendment could help address them.
Amendment 165A to Clause 44 of the Bill, tabled by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, would add the following to the list of “general health determinants” that authorities must consider when addressing health inequalities:
“(f) the degree of ease or difficulty with which persons have access to high quality wheelchair and community equipment provision.”
This amendment would include wheelchair and community equipment provision in the list of ‘general health determinants’ that authorities need to have regard to as a cause of health inequality.
Peers from across the House voiced support for the amendment, describing the current state of wheelchair and community equipment provision as fragmented, inconsistent, and underfunded.
Watch the debate from 19:56:28 via this link: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/dacc4873-aaf6-4230-83a1-46ad665ad36b?in=19:56:28
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath called the current system “a disgrace,” citing evidence from the Wheelchair Alliance and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Access to Disability Equipment showing the lack of national standards, independent regulation, and clear repair or complaints processes. “Many disabled people face long waiting times, delays in hospital discharge, loss of independence, social isolation and avoidable deterioration in health and well-being,” he said.
He explained that wheelchair and community equipment services, though often reaching the same individuals, are managed separately — one primarily by the NHS, the other by local authorities and integrated care boards. This division, he argued, leads to inefficiency and poor outcomes. “They should operate in tandem, but they are two distinct systems,” he said, urging closer collaboration.
Lord Shinkwin, speaking as a wheelchair user, said the amendment “puts the issue on the radar,” adding that access to wheelchair and community equipment services “is a health inequality issue.” He warned that the system’s fragmentation and lack of accountability have allowed inequality to become normalised. “Fragmentation may make for better ICB balance sheets in the short term, but history shows that, in the medium term, it is a very costly false economy.”
Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe added that one in three disabled people are still waiting for approved equipment, and that 74 percent of delayed hospital discharges are linked to equipment delays. The amendment, she said, would help make this area of provision a recognised factor in tackling health inequalities.
Responding for the UK Government, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage acknowledged the concerns but said existing legislation already requires provision of such services. In her response in the House of Lords, she said:
“Local authorities in England already have a statutory duty under various legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of disability aids and community equipment to meet the assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their area. In terms of delivery, NHS England supports integrated care boards and wheelchair providers to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs and to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment.”
She added that she would raise the issues with colleagues in DHSC and MHCLG and confirmed that the Bill’s existing scope already allows for access to equipment to be considered under “general health determinants.”
Watch Baroness Taylor’s response to Amendment 165A from 16:06:27 via this link: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/49b1e807-8829-4a75-a307-4a738052e65b?in=16:06:27
If accepted, Amendment 165A would:
The amendment remains under consideration as the Bill progresses through the House of Lords. Its debate marks an important acknowledgment of the essential role that wheelchairs and community equipment play in tackling health inequalities. The BHTA will update members if the amendment is accepted into the Bill.
The NHS Supply Chain Supplier Webinar held in February 2026 provided suppliers with updates on several initiatives shaping procurement and supplier engagement across the health system. Topics included the NHS England Cyber Charter, the Supplier Performance Dashboard, developments in value-based healthcare, and a brief update on the NHS Core List.
Rachel Million, from the NHS Supply Chain Cyber Team, outlined the latest developments in NHS England’s Cyber Improvement Programme, which is driving higher standards of cyber resilience across the healthcare supply chain. Under the Cyber Charter, suppliers will be contacted by NHS England to discuss their cyber security controls and may be asked to provide evidence of compliance. Further detail is set out in NHS England’s open letter on the Cyber Improvement Programme (the Cyber Charter).
The programme aims to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents that could affect patient care. Suppliers were advised to review their information security measures, confirm certification status where applicable, and ensure they can provide evidence when requested. NHS Supply Chain noted that cyber resilience is now considered a core component of supply chain assurance.
Kate Mokrysz, Supplier Performance and Risk Manager, discussed the Supplier Performance Dashboard, which enables suppliers and NHS Supply Chain to view and compare performance data across cost, quality, service, and sustainability.
Current metrics include service levels, delivery performance, demand management, and data conformance. Further measures are expected to be added over the coming months, including product regulatory compliance, patient safety complaints, sustainability indicators, and information relating to supplier innovation pipelines.
Suppliers who wish to access their own performance data can request dashboard access via their NHS Supply Chain category contact.
Oliver Booth, Care Pathway Specialist (Midlands), discussed NHS Supply Chain’s ongoing work on value-based healthcare, which focuses on improving outcomes, efficiency, and total cost of care rather than unit price alone.
Suppliers were encouraged to bring forward solutions supported by robust evidence, including real-world data, patient experience, and economic modelling aligned to NHS priorities. Oliver highlighted NHS Supply Chain’s existing value-based healthcare portfolio, which includes case studies demonstrating measurable clinical and system benefits across stages such as pilot implementation, pathway optimisation, financial modelling, and benefits realisation.
NHS Supply Chain is continuing to build the next wave of value-based healthcare opportunities and encouraged suppliers to engage early and share strong evidence packs.
Fay Allen, Innovation Specialist, outlined a formalised Innovation Marketing Playbook designed to bring greater consistency and clarity to how innovative products are communicated within NHS Supply Chain.
A central element of the framework is the Innovation Brief, a structured document intended to present innovations in a clear, evidence-led format. Each brief includes an executive summary, classification of the innovation, key opportunity highlights, relevant clinical or economic evidence, and practical information such as ordering details and supporting guidance.
By standardising how innovations are presented, NHS Supply Chain aims to make it easier for NHS organisations to identify, assess, and adopt new technologies. For BHTA member suppliers, this approach may provide a clearer route for showcasing evidence-based products that align with value-based healthcare objectives.
Hamish Makanji, Head of Category – Medical and Surgical Consumables, provided a brief update on the NHS Core List, which aims to simplify procurement for standardised, high-volume consumables through a nationally coordinated route.
From the information presented, the Core List is intended for standardised consumables rather than specialist or bespoke clinical solutions. As many BHTA products, including assistive technology, rehabilitation, mobility, and complex care devices, are tailored to individual patient needs, they are less likely to fall within scope in the near term. While the Core List will continue to expand during 2026, its relevance to most BHTA members is expected to remain limited.
BHTA will continue to monitor NHS Supply Chain developments and share relevant updates to support members in understanding changes across the procurement landscape.
The NHS Supply Chain has announced a one‑hour pre‑market engagement (PME) webinar introducing the forthcoming Aids for Daily Living (ADL) 2027 framework, scheduled for 2pm on 10 February 2026. This session offers BHTA members an opportunity to understand the scope, timelines, and participation process for this major upcoming framework.
The ADL 2027 framework aims to support independence at home and facilitate timely hospital discharge through a comprehensive range of products. Categories will include bathing aids, toileting aids, bedroom and home equipment, mobility aids, and paediatric devices, as well as a managed service for Community Equipment Loan Services.
The framework also places a strong emphasis on reuse, refurbishment, and sustainability, aligned with NHS Supply Chain’s circular economy and design for life principles — part of a wider shift toward sustainable procurement and product lifecycle thinking that the NHS and medtech sector are pursuing together (read more about the Design for Life initiative here).
The webinar will provide an overview of the framework’s commercial aims, specifications and product categories, the procurement process, and key milestones. It will also outline how members can engage during the PME period, which remains open until 6 March 2026. This session forms part of NHS Supply Chain’s wider engagement programme.
BHTA members involved in the supply of aids for daily living, mobility aids, community equipment, or related products and services are encouraged to attend. The session is particularly relevant for organisations working in assistive technology, rehabilitation, independent living, or healthcare product distribution, including small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).
To attend, members should register their Expression of Interest (EOI) via either the Jaggaer portal or the Find a Tender notice.
Once registered, attendees can sign up for the webinar through the official Microsoft Teams event link.
For any questions ahead of the session, please contact the NHS Supply Chain Aids for Daily Living team at aidsfordailyliving@supplychain.nhs.uk.
BHTA members are encouraged to participate in this engagement opportunity. The association will continue to monitor updates on the framework and share relevant information as procurement progresses.
Get to know Chris Goodban – Verlingue Client Director and your new point of contact for the BHTA Members’ Scheme
Verlingue is proud to be the preferred insurance provider for BHTA members, and with that comes a commitment to personal, specialist support. To help put a face to the name, we caught up with Chris Goodban, Client Director at Verlingue and the new lead for the BHTA Members’ Scheme.
Chris, tell us a bit about your role at Verlingue.
I joined Verlingue about 18 months ago, and around seven months ago I took on responsibility for the BHTA Members’ Scheme. As Client Director, I’m the main point of contact for BHTA members, whether that’s reviewing existing cover, helping with renewals, or simply answering questions when something isn’t quite clear.
What does that mean in practice for BHTA members?
My job is really about making insurance feel straightforward and relevant. Every business is different, so I spend time getting to know members properly, understanding their risks and challenges, and then offering advice that’s practical and tailored. Insurance should support your business, not complicate it.
You’ve been in insurance a long time – what experience do you bring to the role?
I’ve been a broker for around 30 years, working across commercial insurance, so I’ve seen a lot of different scenarios. That experience helps me cut through complexity and focus on what genuinely matters for each client. Just as important, though, is building strong relationships and being approachable — I want members to feel comfortable picking up the phone.
What do you enjoy most about working with BHTA members?
The variety. No two businesses are the same, and I enjoy learning how different organisations operate. It’s very rewarding when you can offer advice that genuinely makes a difference or gives someone peace of mind.
And outside of work – what keeps you busy?
Family is a big part of my life. I’m married to Stephanie, and I’m a proud parent and grandparent. I’m also usually outdoors when I can be – cycling, mountain biking, or walking our Lakeland Terrier through the countryside. I’m a bit of a technology enthusiast too, so I enjoy keeping up with the latest gadgets and innovations.
Finally, how can BHTA members get in touch?
I’d encourage any member to connect with me, whether you’re due a review or just want a conversation about your current cover. The Members’ Scheme is there to support your business, and I’m always happy to help explore how it can work for you.
BHTA members are invited to contact Chris to review their insurance or discuss how the Members’ Scheme can support their business.
Chris Goodban, Cert CII – Client Director
M: +44 (0) 7841 775699
Email: chris.goodban@verlingue.com
W: www.verlingue.com
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has welcomed Younique Healthcare as a new member, a retailer that specialises in assessment-led mobility and access solutions, from specification to installation and aftercare.
The BHTA spoke to directors Andy Haines and Lee Cadman to learn more about Younique Healthcare’s assessment-led approach, service pathway, plans for growth, and why it joined the association.
Co-founded by Andy Haines and Lee Cadman, Younique Healthcare is led by two directors with complementary strengths and a shared emphasis on tailored solutions where comfort, posture, and real-world usability matter.
Andy, Director for Commercial and Product Development, is a healthcare mobility specialist recognised for pairing commercial leadership with practical clinical problem-solving. His work spans independent assessments, complex seating set-ups, and collaboration with charities and partner organisations to match people with the right equipment and support, as well as a wider business development and product focus within the UK medical devices and mobility space.
Lee, Director for Retail and Services, brings a customer-first, operations-led approach, with a hands-on focus on personalised assessments, high-quality equipment, and consistent follow-through, helping to turn complex needs into workable, dignified day-to-day outcomes. Beyond Younique Healthcare, Lee is involved in community-facing mental health and disability work through The Black Country Blokes C.I.C., which won the King’s Award in 2025.
Established in 2018, Younique Healthcare supports disabled people, families, clinicians, and care settings with assessment-led supply, installation, and aftercare, aiming for safe, practical outcomes that improve independence, comfort, and day-to-day function.
Its services cover wheelchairs and specialist seating, moving and handling equipment, access solutions (including modular ramps and threshold options), and LOLER inspections and certification.
Younique Healthcare operates an assessment-led pathway, which involves understanding needs and risks, such as the environment, user ability, carers, transfers, skin integrity, and safety; confirming measurements and constraints; proposing suitable options; supplying, installing, and commissioning solutions; and then handover, user guidance, and aftercare/support.
Andy describes the company’s ethos as “inclusive by design”, balancing independence, safety, and value, while avoiding “one-size-fits-all” provision. Lee adds that this is underpinned by clear assessment and record-keeping, installation standards, and aftercare.
Younique Healthcare, which is Disability Confident-registered, works with individuals, families, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, case managers, care homes, supported living providers, care agencies, and local authority/public sector-style referrals, where applicable.
“We are a disabled family operating within the market that we serve and that serves us,” Andy added.
Some of Younique Healthcare’s supply partners include BHTA members like Permobil, Sunrise Medical, Etac, and BES Healthcare.
Looking ahead, Younique Healthcare says it is navigating economic pressures and ongoing supply chain constraints, while exploring opportunities to develop its own product ranges. The team is also planning either a new shop or a consolidation into a larger Midlands premises.
Younique Healthcare is also planning to open another shop or consolidate into one bigger premises in the Midlands.
The directors say joining the BHTA builds on their existing awareness of the association and supports a wider programme of training and development. “We felt the time was right to nail our colours to the mast”, Lee commented.
To find out more about how the BHTA can support your business and how to become a BHTA member, visit this page.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is sharing important safety information on behalf of SunTech UK, trading as eFOLDi. SunTech UK is a member of the BHTA, and the association is aware of this Field Safety Notice (FSN).
On 21 January 2026, SunTech UK issued a Field Safety Notice concerning the eFOLDi powerchair, following the discovery that several safety warnings were missing from earlier versions of the product’s Instructions for Use (IFU).
This action has been taken as a precautionary measure. There have been no reported incidents, injuries, or adverse events related to this issue. The update reflects SunTech UK’s continued commitment to ensuring that all users have complete and accurate safety information.
As part of a routine internal review, SunTech UK identified that certain safety warnings were omitted from previous versions of the eFOLDi powerchair’s instructions. The updated IFU now includes these additional safety statements and clarifies that the product is designed for indoor and limited outdoor use on smooth, level surfaces, such as homes, assisted living facilities, shopping centres, offices, and hospitals.
Although users should have been informed of these safety considerations during product demonstrations and handovers, SunTech UK has issued this written update to ensure all users and retailers have clear, complete information.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been notified of this corrective action.
The following safety warnings must be reviewed and followed by all eFOLDi powerchair users and retailers:
These warnings are essential to prevent unintended movement, falls, instability, and interference that could affect safe use. The revised IFU also includes further details on how to identify damage to the battery or charger, information relating to electromagnetic compatibility, updated performance specifications, and clearer instructions for transportation, maintenance, and refurbishment.
The absence of these warnings in earlier documentation could lead to unintended use that increases the risk of:
Although no such incidents have been reported, SunTech UK has taken this precautionary action to minimise any potential risks and ensure continued user safety.
To ensure the continued safe use of the eFOLDi powerchair, SunTech UK requests that users and retailers take the following steps without delay.
For further information or support, contact:
SunTech UK
25 Ormside Way, Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 2LW
📞 +44 (0) 20 3143 5168
📧 services@efoldi.com
🌐 www.efoldi.com
Buying from a British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) ensures that the company you’re buying from adheres to the BHTA’s strict Code of Practice, which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
This means BHTA members commit to providing a level of service above and beyond that of their legal obligations, so you can expect to receive expert advice, excellent customer service, and never be pressure sold any products or services.
There are several ways to identify whether a company is a BHTA member:
Warning: A company could fraudulently display the BHTA logo on their website, even if they are not a member. To ensure that a company is a member, the BHTA logo on the company’s website should be clickable and take you through to the CTSI member verification page to confirm that the company is a member.
The CTSI member verification page looks like the below:
If you are still unsure whether a company is a BHTA member, please contact us to verify their details by calling 020 7702 2141 or emailing info@bhta.com.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is calling on its members to respond to a new UK Government consultation that is seeking views from industry to modernise laws on powered mobility devices, which includes electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Launched on 6 January 2026, the Department for Transport’s (DfT) 12-week consultation seeks to review size, speed, and usage rules to better reflect modern technology and improve safety.
According to the DfT, current legislation is nearly 40 years old and does not reflect the technological advances that have transformed powered mobility devices. For example, some modern wheelchairs used by adults and children exceed the current maximum legal weight limit, meaning they can only legally be used on private land.
The consultation seeks views on how regulations should evolve to better support people who rely on powered mobility devices, while ensuring safety for everyone who uses roads and pavements.
A variety of crucial topics are covered in the consultation, including:
Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Roads and Buses, said: “Powered mobility devices give people independence and freedom and the law should enable their safe use. This consultation is a chance for users and organisations to help us modernise these outdated rules and ensure they meet today’s needs.”
This consultation focuses only on the legislation that governs the use of mobility devices, or powered mobility devices, on the road and pavement in Great Britain.
The consultation deadline is 11.59pm on 31 March 2026. BHTA members can respond online here.
DfT says that a summary of responses, including the next steps, will be published within three months of the consultation closing.
The UK Government has announced an additional £50 million cash injection for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for 2025-26, which will enable thousands more older and disabled people to live independently in their own homes.
This extra investment will be allocated to local authorities in February 2026 and brings total DFG funding for 2025-26 to £761 million.
For BHTA members installing essential adaptation equipment, this extra DFG cash injection will come as a welcome announcement, as it means there is more money available in local communities to facilitate these life-changing installations and improve individuals’ quality of life.
DFGs enable vital home adaptations such as stairlifts, ramps, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and assistive technologies. This includes mobility and daily living aid equipment like grab rails, ceiling track hoists, homelifts, and wetrooms. It means that people can live at home safely, independently, and comfortably.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:“Everyone deserves to feel safe and independent in their own home. A stairlift or an accessible bathroom might seem like a small change, but for thousands of older and disabled people these adaptations can be life changing. They help people move around freely, stay close to family and friends, and live with dignity.
“This £50 million boost could support around 5,000 more people to make these vital changes to their homes so they can remain independent and comfortable rather than face a hospital stay or a move into residential care.
“Home adaptations also play a crucial role in easing pressure on our NHS – preventing falls, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions. This investment is part of our commitment to shift more care out of hospital and into the community, where people want to be.”
The DFG supports around 60,000 older people and people with disabilities each year, with an average grant of around £10,000.
Home adaptations also play a crucial role in supporting the NHS by preventing falls and other accidents in the home, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions – easing pressure on the health service and helping to shift care out of hospital and into the community.
A number of British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) members are giving positive feedback on a Level 3 Trusted Assessor qualification for retailers that raises standards in the independent living sector.
In 2024, the BHTA worked in partnership with Trusted Assessing and Care Training (TACT) to launch a new course designed for retailers of independent living equipment. Delivered by TACT, the ‘Trusted Assessors: Assessing in the Retail Environment’ course is designed to accredit retailers as Trusted Assessors.
The course enables customer-facing staff to learn the skills involved in assessing for suitable home adaptations equipment. This development has enabled organisations across the sector to upskill staff to a standardised, independent set of competencies long recognised within health and social care.
Trusted Assessor competencies, first defined in 2005, are now widely used across the UK by health, social care, housing, and care teams. The qualification teaches learners to adopt an occupational therapy–based approach to assessments, combining theory with hands-on practical skills. Crucially, trainees learn how to identify when a case is complex and requires referral to an occupational therapist (OT). Trusted Assessors are qualified to assess a person’s needs and identify the most suitable equipment and adaptations to support independent living.
TACT’s OTs deliver the teaching, support learners with their assignments, run free monthly top-up webinars, and make additional resources available for free on its website. Learners complete training modules and a homework assignment to demonstrate their understanding and practical application of the course content.
As more organisations adopt the Trusted Assessor model, the independent living sector is better positioned to meet growing demand, reduce pressure on overstretched OTs, and ensure people receive timely, accurate guidance on the equipment that supports independent living.
Many retailers have found that the qualification not only enhances internal skill levels but also improves collaboration with local equipment and assessment pathways.
TPG DisableAids, a BHTA member based in Hereford, offers a strong example. Director Alastair Gibbs explained: “For TPG DisableAids the Trusted Assessor scheme has been a real boost. We have various staff trained from level 2 to level 4, and it has given us real credibility with housing associations and local authorities. Those looking for a differentiator and an indicator of commitment to quality found it in our association with BHTA and Trusted Assessor.”
This credibility strengthens tender opportunities for providers supplying independent living equipment, as the qualification offers a clear benchmark of assessment quality.
Recognition is growing within the OT profession as well. Brett Gilham from BHTA member company Laybrook noted: “We know how busy many OTs are, so the fact that we can demonstrate we have been trained and can provide assistance in the assessment process benefits all parties. It also means our staff across all levels have been trained to a set standard for assessing.”
Retailers are also seeing value in highlighting the qualification to the public. Dolphin South West, a BHTA member based in Devon, newly qualified, has launched a communications campaign to promote its enhanced capabilities.
Antonia Nixon, from Dolphin South West, said: “The Dolphin team enjoyed the training—learning and reinforcing what they know—and now we’re keen to let people know what this means when they deal with us.”
Some providers are taking the Trusted Assessor approach even further.
On 10 and 11 December 2025, BHTA member Wenman Healthcare hosted two free training workshops for organisations across the region that provide advice to the public on independent living. Twenty-four learners attended the two, one-day Level 2 accredited courses, delivered by TACT.
Attendees importantly represented a broad spectrum of local services, including NHS social prescribers, district housing teams, regional disability and carer charities, and homecare providers, who also benefited from the opportunity to network with peers.
TACT estimates that the programme will help more than 100 residents every day who receive advice from these organisations all year round, demonstrating the potential significant regional impact this training would have if rolled out more widely.
Participants reported a clear increase in their confidence when supporting older and disabled people. The course covered common health conditions, how local health and social care systems operate, communication skills, and key risk factors. Learners also explored a wide range of independent living equipment and typical solutions used across the region.
Confidence in the topic of independent living equipment rose from 52 percent being fairly or very confident pre-course to 100 percent afterwards. Both Wenman Healthcare and TACT were delighted with the outcomes.
Clare Barber, Director and OT at TACT, enthused: “We are passionate about improving access to much-needed equipment, and upskilling people working locally is one of the best ways to ensure residents get timely, accurate advice. Navigating the regional landscape of aids, equipment, and adaptations can be challenging, and understanding what’s available and how to access it can speed things up immeasurably.”
Ian Wenman, Managing Director at Wenman Healthcare, added: “People often aren’t aware of their entitlement to a needs-based assessment for equipment and home adaptations. This can ensure essential equipment is delivered to their home. They often struggle to know what equipment is relevant and helpful to a particular health condition.
“Families frequently want to explore additional items, and they can try a wide range—without obligation—by visiting our showroom. Our Trusted Assessors identify what’s needed and provide impartial advice, as well as providing a free home visit when required.”
The initiative demonstrates how retailers can act as local hubs for information, training, and support. By engaging organisations across their community, Wenman Healthcare aims to speed up access to essential equipment and strengthen cross-sector relationships.
BHTA members can choose from either a one-day in-person course run at their premises or opt for the live webinar version delivered over a series of three dates.
In 2026, the webinar version involves studying for three three-hour live webinars running on:
Alternatively, members opt to join one of the main Trusted Assessor courses that include practical workshops, and these can be directly commissioned or accessed through TACT’s open courses running regionally.
All versions of accredited courses require learners to complete and pass a homework assignment, and, once qualified, Trusted Assessors can join the monthly webinar top-ups for 12 months.