Digital healthcare in the UK
67 M
inhabitants
11,3 %
of GDP for the healthcare sector in 2022
28 M
of NHS app users in June 2022
A decentralized healthcare system reflecting different national characteristics
The UK benefits from a public health system, the National Health Service (NHS), based on a public funding model and universal, free access to care for all residents, while granting a great deal of autonomy to its four devolved nations. The England, the Scotland, the Wales and the Northern Ireland thus have their own Departments of Health, all funded by the same means: taxation.
The priority objectives of the NHS in England are:
- Improving health outcomes and services;
- Reducing pressure on front-line services;
- Reducing inequalities, linked to life expectancy, access to care, availability of healthcare professionals or ethnicity.
Digital is a key element of the NHS England Long Term Plan and is a central pillar of the transformation program, which operates through three objectives: working more efficiently, improving diagnosis and treatment, and improving services.
In addition, the UK Parliament passed legislation in 2018 to harmonize data protection standards with the EU, implementing the RGPD in the UK. In particular, this legislation guarantees the protection of health data.
UK government supports MedTech sector
In 2023, the UK launched a new medical technology strategy. The strategy aims to support the MedTech sector and ensure that the healthcare system can access safe, effective and innovative medical technologies for patients.
The "NHS app" enables citizens to access a variety of services, including ordering repeat prescriptions, choosing a pharmacy from which to collect them, booking and managing appointments or consulting their medical records, among other services. The NHS app also helps to improve care pathways by enabling patients to book operations at private care centers, further alleviating NHS waiting lists.
How do I access the UK digital market?
1. Register with the MHRA
Registration with theMedicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required, but does not constitute certification:
You can also consult the guide to registering your medical device.
2. Obtain CE or UKCA marking
Since Brexit comes into force in 2021, European regulations on medical devices no longer apply in Great Britain. However, the marquage CE will be valid until 2028 or 2030, depending on the class granted under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices and EU regulations.
The "UKCA" (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is the new UK conformity marking used for medical devices intended for markets in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). However, this marking is not recognized in Northern Ireland, so products intended for this market require CE marking for sale.
3. Appoint a "UK Manager
If your medical device is not manufactured in the UK, it is necessary to appoint a "Responsible UK" based in the UK. The responsible person will then assume the manufacturer's responsibilities for registering the device with the MHRA.
Northern Ireland specific: For non-UK manufacturers, it may be necessary to appoint a UK Responsible person based in Northern Ireland.
4. Get in touch with expert companies
MedTech UK, a medical device distribution company, is a major collaborator when it comes to supplying digital devices to the UK market. This distribution company sells medical technology tools from international suppliers. It will be able to put you in touch with a network of entrepreneurs in the digital health sector.
National authorities
In charge of medical device assessment and legislation.
Innovation hubs and clusters
They bring together and facilitate the incubation of new technologies.
Training
Non-exhaustive list of universities and their groups offering training and support for digital health innovations.