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31st January 2019

Innovative national body HTW makes impact on NHS Wales

The independent and innovative national body working to improve the quality of care in Wales has launched its first Impact Report.

Health Technology Wales (HTW) has achieved substantial success in developing a strategic approach to the identification, appraisal and adoption of new technologies into health and care settings.

Vaughan Gething, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, said: “I welcome the progress made by Health Technology Wales in its first year. They are delivering high quality, evidence-informed advice to our health boards on a range of non-medicine technologies. This is important work that will ensure our health service in Wales is at the forefront of modern technology.”

A team of 15 staff has been recruited to respond to the needs of service users and care providers. They draw on the best available evidence and collaborate with partners across health, social care and the technology sectors.

HTW’s achievements and activity in 2018 included:

  • Responding to 57 topic referrals from a variety of stakeholder groups, including the NHS, Welsh Government and academia.
  • Producing four pieces of guidance issued to NHS Wales and 16 Topic Exploration Reports.
  • Establishing relationships with more than 30 national and international organisations.
  • Presenting at 20 external meetings and conferences.
  • Holding 15 advisory committee meetings and two multi-stakeholder adoption workshops.

Dr Peter Groves, Chair of Health Technology Wales, said: “I am very pleased with the progress that has been made during the first year in establishing HTW as an organisation that is able to use evidence to guide the delivery of the best innovative medical technologies to patients in NHS Wales.

“We are working with partners across the healthcare sector to ensure that our combined expertise is applied to prompting the adoption of technologies that have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives. We are excited about the opportunities in the year ahead.”

Multiple standard operating procedures, an evaluation strategy, a communications strategy and a new website were also produced in 2018.

Visit www.healthtechnology.wales for more information and updates on upcoming activity.