Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to maintain the supply of medical devices in the UK in light of increased financial and regulatory pressures for manufacturers.

The Government recognises challenges faced by suppliers relating to financial pressures and regulatory changes. The Department and NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) have robust measures in place to monitor supply chains, working closely with suppliers within the bounds of contractual agreements to secure value for money for taxpayers and maintain access to devices and clinical consumables.

Similarly, the Government remains committed to providing sufficient time for industry to transition to any new regulatory requirements, following its response to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s future medical device regulations consultation in June 2022. The latter outlined changes supporting innovation in the United Kingdom’s life sciences and access to medical devices.