Med Tech-related health technology assessments in Wales in July 2026

Health Technology Wales (HTW) is a national body working to improve the quality of care in Wales. It is funded by the Welsh Government and hosted within NHS Wales, but is independent of both. HTW covers medical devices, diagnostics, procedures, psychological therapies, models of care, and social care support, excluding pharmaceuticals.

HTW uses a staged process of assessment by developing three types of documents. The topic exploration report (TER) aimed to assess whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a full appraisal and whether the topic meets the appraisal selection criteria. Based on the TER conclusions, HTW's Assessment Group decides whether to progress this topic further. If yes, the following two documents can be developed: Evidence Appraisal Report (EAR) and Guidance (GUI). Recommendations are not mandatory; the status of HTW guidance is "adopt or justify," meaning that the local health board and other relevant bodies are expected to report on how they have considered the appraisal and guidance. If they have chosen not to adopt HTW guidance, they are asked to outline their rationale and justify their decision.

In July 2026, HTW accomplished two full appraisals and published the Evidence Appraisal Reports and Guidance on the following topics.

Wearable and bed-based technologies to detect tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children with epilepsy:

• The appraisal evaluated eight seizure-detection devices approved for use in the UK;
• It was concluded that more evidence is needed to support the use of technology.

Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for group A streptococcal infections in people presenting with a sore throat in community pharmacies:

• The appraisal updated the HTW guidance issued in September 2020, when the evidence was considered insufficient to support routine adoption;
• RADTs are point-of-care tests performed using a throat swab to identify group A streptococcus and support antibiotic prescribing decisions;
• HTW recommended that NHS Wales routinely offer RADTs in community pharmacies.

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