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.

What is 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.

When is the MedTech Compass expected to be introduced?

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.

What will the MedTech Compass mean for suppliers?

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.

How will the MedTech Compass be used?

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.

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.

Why this matters

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.

About the survey

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:

• Company and sector information
• Levels of awareness of VBP and the guidance
• Current preparedness and actions being taken
• Views on support needed from government
• Perspectives on key success factors
• Additional feedback to inform policy development

Responses are confidential and will not be shared with third parties.

Complete the survey

• Time to complete: approximately 10 minutes
• Response requirement: one response per company
• Deadline: 5pm on 27 March

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.