Deputy Chair appointed for HTW Appraisal Panel

We are pleased the announce the appointment of Professor Chris Hopkins as Deputy Chair of the Health Technology Wales Appraisal Panel.

Professor Hopkins is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of the TriTech Institute in Hywel Dda University Health Board.

He is also Clinical Director within the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and a Fellow of the Academy for Healthcare Science.

Speaking about his appointment, he said:

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed Deputy Chair of Health Technology Wales. Throughout my career I have been privileged to work across the NHS, academia and industry to champion innovation, strengthen clinical pathways, and advance the role of technology in improving patient outcomes.

 

“I see this appointment as an opportunity to bring that experience to bear in supporting the mission of Health Technology Wales, ensuring that our appraisal and adoption processes are robust, evidence-based, and focused on delivering meaningful benefits for patients, professionals, and the wider health and social care system.”

The role of the Health Technology Wales Appraisal Panel is to consider the HTW appraisal evidence within the context of NHS and social care in Wales and to produce the HTW national guidance based on this evidence.

The panel also helps HTW to identify upcoming topics for appraisal, evaluates the uptake of HTW guidance and facilitates stakeholder engagement.

Professor Hopkins continued:

“Health technology assessment (HTA) is central to shaping the future of healthcare provision in Wales. By integrating robust evidence, real-world evaluation, and multidisciplinary expertise, HTA ensures that decision-making is both scientifically rigorous and socially responsive.

 

“My aspiration in this role is to contribute to the continued development of Health Technology Wales as a body that not only provides independent, evidence-informed recommendations but also champions the principles of innovation, inclusivity, and equity. The aim is to ensure that Wales remains at the forefront of adopting technologies that are value-based, safe, effective, and capable of making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”