Published and Ongoing HTAs by the Scottish Health Technologies Group in Q2 Q3 2026

The Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG), a national health technology assessment body within Healthcare Improvement Scotland, provides evidence-based advice to NHS Scotland on non-medicine health technologies, including medical devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies and procedures.

SHTG produces three main types of HTA outputs: Recommendations, Assessments and Innovative Medical Technology Overviews (IMTOs), which differ in their scope, methodology and role in healthcare decision-making.

SHTG Recommendations are comprehensive HTAs, typically developed within 6–9 months by a national committee in consultation with relevant stakeholders. They consider clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, patient and public perspectives, expert opinions, and potential social and organizational impacts. Health Boards and Integration Authorities in Scotland are required to consider SHTG Recommendations in their decision-making.

During Q2‑Q3 2026, three Recommendations were published, covering eHealth, robotic surgery, and radiotherapy. 

For example, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of lung cancer was recommended to be available as a diagnostic biopsy option for patients with pulmonary lesions identified on CT that are suspected of being lung cancer. RAB should be the preferred biopsy technique for patients with small (<20mm) peripheral lesions that are not suitable for sampling using conventional techniques.

Innovative Medical Technology Overviews (IMTOs) are rapid, light-touch reviews of emerging evidence for innovative technologies, typically completed within 1‑2 months. They describe the technology and its innovative features, outline potential implications for health and social care in Scotland, and summarise the strengths and limitations of the available evidence. Unlike SHTG Recommendations, IMTOs do not contain formal recommendations and are published for information only.

During Q2-Q3 2026, SHTG published three IMTOs covering cardiovascular, ENT, and gastroenterology fields. An example includes CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) for assessing functionally significant coronary artery stenosis.

SHTG Assessments provide targeted analytical support for health and social care decision-making and are typically completed within 3-6 months. Depending on the topic, they may include critical appraisals or summaries of existing evidence, as well as primary analyses such as economic modeling or budget impact assessments. Like IMTOs, Assessments do not include formal recommendations and are published for information only.

No SHTG Assessments were published during Q2‑Q3 2026. Several Assessments are in progress, including:

• Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) and CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) for investigating patients with stable chest pain;
• Wearable home-testing devices for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

What does it mean for the industry?

SHTG Recommendations can influence the adoption of medical technologies in Scotland. Notably, the recommendation supporting robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for lung cancer diagnosis creates a favorable market access landscape for this technology. However, an SHTG Recommendation does not automatically establish reimbursement or guarantee adoption.

In contrast, SHTG Assessments and IMTOs provide information on the available evidence without formal recommendations. Manufacturers should review relevant SHTG Recommendations to assess their implications for clinical positioning and market access in Scotland, including any specified patient populations and conditions of use. For technologies covered by ongoing Assessments or IMTOs, manufacturers may evaluate the evidence and uncertainties identified and consider their relevance to future HTA activities.

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