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.

Register for the BHTA Joint Section Meeting 2026 today.

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.