Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and advisor to MedTech suppliers, reports on a call for potential VBP pilots to be urgently identified.
The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care has called for potential pilot stage projects urgently to be identified for the next crucial step in the rollout of value based procurement (VBP) in the NHS in England.
The NHS 10-Year Plan and the Life Sciences Sector plan commit government to publishing national VBP guidance, to be used in the NHS, in early Spring 2026. But before then, in the months from September to December 2025, the DHSC needs volunteer NHS organisations to nominate themselves to pilot the project on live procurements.
Invitations to participate in the pilots are open to NHS trusts and ICBs of all sizes and specialties, including acute and emergency providers, district general hospitals, mental health and specialist providers.
Pilots are being sought in all seven regions of the NHS in England; and can involve procurement for any MedTech product: MedTech which falls under the Medical Device Regulations 2002, broadly grouped into the following categories equipment, digital, consumable and implantable.
Those participating will procure MedTech products in line with the draft guidance, to allow any learnings from the pilots to be taken on board before the final version is rolled in the coming Spring.
In an urgent call to industry, the DHSC has asked MedTech suppliers to approach NHS partners who they believe could pilot the draft guidance, to suggest that they reach out to ask to be considered by a short deadline of 22nd August. NHS organisations should contact: valueassessment@dhsc.gov.uk.
The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon or questions about which can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
