Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the MedTech Directorate will publish their strategy on the medical devices market; when the strategy will be opened up for public consultation; and in what form the consultation will take place.

The MedTech strategy is planned for publication in the first half of 2022. It will consider regulation, resilience, sustainability and innovation to ensure safety, clinical efficacy and value for money. It aims to ensure resilience in supply chains, enhance innovation, build infrastructure including data and collaboration with industry.

The MedTech Directorate has engaged stakeholders in public bodies and with industry on the strategy’s objectives and priorities. The strategy does not meet the formal requirement to undertake a public consultation. Engagement has focused on those stakeholders most impacted by the strategy in industry and the healthcare system. Once the strategy is drafted, we will seek their feedback and endorsement including through the NHS Medical Advisory Group. This is formed of clinicians, nurses, public bodies and industry via trade associations, manufacturers and suppliers of relevant medical devices.