Patient experience shapes the future of NHS medical devices 

A new report published today by National Voices, Patient views on medical devices prescribed to them outside of hospital in England, sheds light on patients’ experiences of using medical devices prescribed under Part IX of the NHS Drug Tariff and identifies the features that matter most to people. This research was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).  

The report draws on engagement with people who use medical devices outside hospital settings. Between November 2024 and March 2025, National Voices gathered 679 survey responses and carried out interviews and focus groups with 66 people with lived experience of using medical devices prescribed in the community.  

The findings show that patients value devices which help them live their lives to the fullest. One participant shared, ‘You don’t want to feel like you’re dying of this thing. You’re living with it, and you want to live properly’.  

The report also highlights that appearance, comfort and fit of medical devices matters. One participant said, ‘The day they put [medical shoes] on me I cried. I felt like lymphoedema took everything from me’. 

In some areas, there was a strong consensus on what device features were best, but in others it was clear that different device features worked well for different people. For example, while some people with stoma bags preferred filters to aid with odour control, other people preferred bags without filters as they felt that filters were not effective and increased the likelihood of leaking. 

Finally, the report highlighted the importance of medical devices meeting the diverse needs of the people who use them – considering diverse skin tones, sensory needs, limited dexterity and more.  

In response to the report’s findings, DHSC has committed to incentivising manufacturers to reduce inequalities experienced by device users by introducing a ‘value add’ component to the Quality Evaluation Framework for Part IX of the Drug Tariff.  

Alongside a wider range of next steps and recommendations, National Voices and DHSC also ask device manufacturers to consider how to develop a stronger understanding of what matters to device users (beyond their immediate health and care needs) and incorporating this into device design. 

These actions demonstrate a major win for patient voice, as the lived experience captured in this report is actively shaping decisions at both national and local levels.  

Speaking about the report launch, Louis Horsley, Research and Insight Manager and medical devices policy lead at National Voices said: 

“The findings from this research show that seemingly little wins, such as the ability for a patient to personalise how their medical device looks and feels, massively impacts the relationship that same patient has with their medical device and how they perceive it. We hope that today’s report will encourage companies manufacturing these devices to strengthen their engagement with patients to understand what they find important beyond basic functionality.  

We want to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with us, and to our member charities who have been so generous in supporting this work. We are also grateful to DHSC for commissioning this insight, for their openness in listening carefully to what patients have told us, and for their commitment to taking action in response to the findings.” 

Commenting on the report launch, Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Minister for Health Innovation and Safety said: 

“I welcome this significant milestone for the Part IX Drug Tariff Reforms with the publication of this crucial report. It is of upmost importance that patient views are fully considered during the listing and prescribing of medical devices. I want to thank everyone who provided their experiences of medical devices for this report. Ultimately these devices work better if the person conforms to the correct use and that is more likely to happen when designed with the patient in mind. This report should therefore help prescribers make better decisions and help manufacturers design good products.” 

Commenting on the news, Katie-Rose Stone, Lived Experience Partner at National Voices said:  

“I feel encouraged to see recognition of the needs of individuals who use medical devices. As a user myself, I know how important it is that manufacturers have the needs of the person using the device at the centre of every decision they make. I hope that the report today will encourage manufacturers to take the exciting step toward transforming medical devices from simply managing life to actively enhancing it.” 

Reflecting on the report and its findings, Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner said: 

“This welcome report brings together the voices of a wide range of patients, documenting their direct experiences with medical devices and packaging. Similar to the findings detailed in my Safety Gap report The Safety Gap Report – Patient Safety Commissioner medical devices, as well as their packaging, may not meet the needs of all patients, particularly those with vision or hearing impairment and this can impact on patient safety and on quality of life. This new report includes both positive and negative perspectives from people with lived experience, who have shown that understanding what matters to patients is key to making better prescribing decisions. These vital insights will also help manufacturers to consider the diverse needs of all patients when designing and developing better and more accessible medical devices and packaging.” 

The full report, ‘Patient views on medical devices prescribed to them outside of hospital in England’, is available here.