Our lifecycle approach to HealthTech guidance development

There are 3 approaches: early use, routine use and existing use.

Early use (previously early value assessment)

For promising innovations that address NHS needs but where further evidence is needed. Recommendations may support NHS use while further evidence is gathered, or indicate research use only.

Routine use

For clinically and cost-effective healthtech that is recommended for widespread NHS adoption, so it is available to everyone who needs it. This includes technology appraisal and interventional procedures guidance. Our interventional procedures guidance often evaluates healthtech-enabled procedures to confirm they're both safe and effective for NHS patients.

Existing use (previously late-stage assessment)

For established technologies already in widespread use. This guidance helps the NHS decide if the products they are using are value for money.