Ensuring technology meets future needs

Clinical Insight is an exclusive network of NHS stakeholders managed by Health Enterprise East (HEE) and comprising healthcare professionals who are willing to engage with medical technology companies. For medical technology companies, HEE provides consultancy services built around expert stakeholder insight ranging from focus groups, workshops and observational research through to validation of concepts and feedback on products. These services can be tailored to the specific requirements of an organisation. For clinicians, there is an opportunity to provide real-world insights which could influence the direction of new product development as well as having a good opportunity to be introduced to new technology solutions. Sue Watson, senior consultant, MedTech Services at HEE and the lead for Clinical Insight said: “Seeking stakeholder feedback is fundamental to the development of innovative products and services. Engaging with the correct stakeholder ensures development is carried out in response to unmet needs, progresses in line with end-user requirements and leads to the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes. While they recognise feedback is key to the product development process, MedTech often struggles to gain timely access to the relevant stakeholder. “By working with HEE, medical technology companies have the opportunity to access this network. We currently have expertise from all substantive bands of healthcare professionals. Around 65% of our clinical experts are consultants and leaders in their field many having published multiple papers in their areas of expertise. We also have a high proportion of professors acting as clinical experts from various hospitals.”

Shaping the future

Sue Watson continues: “While 400 stakeholders have already signed up to Clinical Insight, we are actively recruiting more to join. We hold details about qualifications, expertise and special interests of each individual to enable us to closely match with the medical technology requirements. Clinical experts are paid for their input into advisory projects and all contribution requests are optional. “We also recognise that confidentiality is of paramount importance to both our medical technology clients and our clinical experts. Therefore, all consultations are confidential and clinical experts’ information will not be sold to third parties.” HEE manages the Clinical Insight service, acting as an honest broker, stakeholders will not be contacted directly by companies, as it wants to ensure that the process is closely controlled and to guard against experts being bombarded by requests for help.