LUDLOW MP and former Health Minister Philip Dunne is backing a new drive to ensure consistent patient access to life-changing medical technology on the NHS.

Mr Dunne gave his support to the initiative at the Houses of Parliament during a reception organised by the Medical Technology Group, a coalition of patient groups, research charities and medical device manufacturers, working together to make medical technologies available to everyone who needs them.

Currently, uptake of medical technology in the UK is not as rapid nor as even as it should be, given the great potential to improve patients’ lives, the ability to reduce healthcare spending, and provide value for money to the NHS, to patients and to taxpayers.

The technology and devices patients can access also varies significantly depending on policies in each NHS area. The Medical Technology Group is campaigning to ensure the treatment patients receive depends on their needs, not where they live.

“I am acutely aware, having spent so much time working with the NHS as a Health Minister, of the real impact technology can make in improving or even savings patients’ lives,” Mr Dunne said.

“But how to ensure consistent access to latest medical technologies is a constant challenge.”