Pictured signing the MoU are Dr Máirín Ryan, HIQA’s Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, and Phelim Quinn, HIQA CEO; Dr Peter Groves, Chair of Health Technology Wales, and Director Dr Susan Myles; and Dr Iain Robertson, Chair of Scottish Health Technology Group, and Unit Head Edward Clifton.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between national health technology assessment (HTA) bodies in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. 

The MoU establishes a collaborative approach to the identification and assessment of new health technologies between HIQA, Health Technology Wales and the Scottish Health Technology Group. These bodies assess and give guidance on health technologies within their national healthcare systems.

Dr Máirín Ryan, HIQA’s Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, said: “The MoU aims to formalise working in partnership with HTA bodies across these three countries, including opportunities to collaborate on and co-produce evidence reviews on health technologies. It will also improve shared understanding of work programmes and processes, ensuring the best use of resources for the people of each country and their respective care systems. ” 

“HIQA welcomes this opportunity to optimise the use of scarce HTA resources and expertise across the three countries and increase efficiencies through joint work.”

HIQA has recently worked successfully with the Scottish Health Technology Group on each country’s national assessments of mechanical thrombectomy to treat ischaemic stroke. HIQA, along with the other HTA bodies, will be attending the Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Annual Meeting in Cologne in June 2019 to present the progress made through this new strategic alliance.

Ends.

For further information please contact:
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
086 244 7623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to Editor:

• HIQA undertakes HTAs in Ireland to inform national policy and health service decisions.
• The Scottish Health Technologies Group, which is part of Health Improvement Scotland, advises on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-medicine technologies. 
• Health Technology Wales advises on the adoption of non-medicine technologies in health and care settings in Wales.