For HealthTech guidance that started development between the 14 July 2025 and the 22 October 2025, the previous version of the HealthTech Manual applies.
- Status:
- In progress
- Technology type:
- Device
- Decision:
- Selected
- Reason for decision:
- Anticipate the topic will be of importance to patients, carers, professionals, commissioners and the health of the public to ensure clinical benefit is realised, inequalities in use addressed, and help them make the best use of NHS resources
- Description:
- This topic has been identified as a priority by the NICE-NHS England Prioritisation Sub-Group for Digital Health Technologies and the National Clinical Director for Musculoskeletal conditions. In 2023, more than 225,000 primary knee and hip replacements were done and demand for total replacements is predicted to rise by nearly 40% between 2018 and 2060. As people are recommended to receive self-directed or face to face rehabilitation before and after surgery, growing demand will increase the pressure on rehabilitation services. This assessment will look at digital platforms to support rehabilitation before and after hip or knee replacement surgery. These tools can enable guided physiotherapy, recovery tracking and remote communication with healthcare providers. Digital platforms may offer widespread access to rehabilitation services and the ability to monitor people remotely. They could reduce the risk of the condition getting worse while waiting for surgery, improve surgery outcome and recovery and reduce hospital stay and the number of follow up appointments. They could also release resources for rehabilitation services, to allow face to face care for those who need it. These platforms may also give people greater involvement in managing their health, support more equitable access to care and contribute to more consistent delivery of care across the NHS.
Provisional Schedule
- Scope published:
- 10 December 2025
Project Team
- Project lead
- Catherine Pank
Email enquiries
If you have any queries please email diagnostics@nice.org.uk
- External Assessment Group:
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter
Timeline
Key events during the development of the guidance:
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 26 November 2025 | Scoping workshop |
| 29 October 2025 | Professional and Patient Expert recruitment closes |
| 01 October 2025 | Stakeholder registration opens |
| 01 October 2025 | Professional and Patient Expert recruitment starts |
| 01 October 2025 | In progress. Scoping has started for topic. |
| 25 April 2025 | Awaiting development. Status change linked to Topic Selection Decision being set to Selected |
For further information on our processes and methods, please see our early value assessment interim statement.