National Voices: Patient views on medical devices prescribed to them outside of hospital in England (15 January 2026)

Summary

Commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in November 2024, this research by National Voices explores patient experience of the medical devices prescribed under Part IX of the NHS Drug Tariff. The project aimed to understand the features patients value most, so these insights can inform future categorisation and assessment of devices. 

Between November 2024 and March 2025, National Voices collected 679 survey responses and held interviews or focus groups with 66 people with lived experience of using medical devices. The report brings together patient feedback across seven device categories, spanning areas such as wound and skin care, respiratory care, diabetes and glucose monitoring, sexual and pelvic health, and oral, eye and ear care. 

The findings have been used by DHSC and National Voices to identify clear next steps for the Department, alongside actions for medical device manufacturers and local decision makers within Integrated Care Systems, helping ensure patient voice shapes decisions about device availability and choice.