Have your say on medical devices and products!
18/12/2024
Patient survey on experiences with medical devices and products
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking at making changes to the way medical devices and products are available for prescribing in primary and community care.
This is important in urology as many people with urology conditions use medical devices and products e.g. intermittent catheters and irrigation products, bladder management and continence products, drainage systems (e.g. body worn bags), ostomy products.
If you or someone you care for uses a urinary product, The DHSC wants to hear from you about what features you value in your products. To have your say you can complete a short survey and you can also join paid focus groups to share more detailed feedback. You’ll be in for a chance to win £250 by completing the survey.
What this means
The DHSC is in the process of improving the way products and medical devices available for prescribing in primary and community care are categorised and assessed. Clinicians are able to prescribe thousands of medical devices in primary care settings and the aim of the proposed changes is to help the DHSC and the NHS to achieve best value and encourage the use of good quality and cost-effective medical devices (appliances) for patients.
These decisions will impact patients and so we believe it is vital that those using the products (and those caring for people who use them) can have their say on what matters to them. Policy makers need to hear from those with lived experience before making any changes and so we’re calling on people to respond to the survey.
By completing this survey, you can let DHSC know:
- What is important to you as a patient when medical professionals are deciding which medical devices and products to prescribe.
- Information you want in order to make an informed choice about the medical device or product you want to use.
We know that patients’ and carers’ voices are especially important in decisions on urinary health and we urge anyone with experience to get involved.
Get involved today!
If you’re based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you can have your say by completing a short survey about your experience with medical devices and products. Plus, you can join paid focus groups (£80) to share more detailed feedback.
Survey closes on 10th January 2025.
To take part, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/medicaldevicesresearch
