Clinical and cost effectivess of improvement
Health technology assessment (HTA) is an
internationally recognised process.
We use it to advise NHSScotland
about a specific health intervention like:
- medicine
- equipment
- or diagnostic tests
Our work assists decision making by
clinicians, managers and others throughout NHSScotland.
Considering factors influencing health technologies
Production of HTAs involves consideration of
the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, organisational
issues and patient issues relating to the health technology in
question.
- Clinical effectiveness – is
the health technology effective in standard NHS practice, producing
outcomes which are of importance to patients?
- Cost-effectiveness – what are
the costs/benefits and the likely budget impacts of using the
health technology?
- Patient issues – what are the
psychological, social and ethical issues for patients, families and
carers?
- Organisational issues – are
there any training, service reorganisation, equipment or legal
issues?
HTA also takes account of ethical
considerations, equality and diversity.
Advice for planning within NHS boards
The recommendations resulting from HTAs are
not mandatory for NHSScotland. However NHS boards should take
account of the advice from Healthcare Improvement Scotland when
planning services and ensure that recommended drugs and treatments
are made available to meet clinical need.
