Coronavirus (COVID-19) Coronavirus (COVID-19): Evidence digest

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Health Technology Wales (HTW) is working with our partners in health and social care to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, this page will be regularly updated with new information about the ways we’re working and services we offer.

Evidence reviews and research

Health Technology Wales (HTW) is a Collaborating Partner of the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, providing research expertise and input to the dedicated centre for COVID-19 topics.

The Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre is funded by Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales and is hosted by Cardiff University.  Its  key purpose is to rapidly review and synthesise UK-wide and international research evidence to support decision making by stakeholders involved in health and social care policy and practice.

Reports of the rapid evidence reviews, along with further information, can be found on the  Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre website.

HTW had previously supported the response to the pandemic by contributing to Welsh Government committees and task forces, co-authoring three pan-European collaborative reviews and providing scientific advice to industry.  These reports can be found below.

Reports

Evidence Appraisal Reports View >
Tests to inform COVID-19 diagnosis Open >
Topic Exploration Reports View >
Point-of-care smartphone applications (ResAppDx-EU) for the diagnosis of acute respiratory disease Open >
Cytokine adsorbers for the treatment of cytokine storm in people with severe coronavirus infection Open >
Hydrogen peroxide vapour to reprocess single-use personal protective equipment Open >
Convalescent plasma therapy for patients with COVID-19 Open >
Safety of personal protective equipment gowns for health and social care workers Open >
Point-of-care lung ultrasound imaging for suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 Open >
Antimicrobial treatments for medical masks or personal protective equipment Open >
Rapid summaries View >
Hospify messaging application for use in hospital or secondary care settings Open >
Face coverings to reduce COVID-19 transmissions Open >
Oximetry to guide COVID-19 management Open >
Economic reports View >
Convalescent plasma therapy: a costing review Open >
Impact View >
Impact Report Open >
Externally published reports View >
EUnetHTA – The role of antibody tests Open >
EUnetHTA – The diagnostic accuracy of molecular tests Open >
EUnetHTA – Convalescent plasma therapy Open >
BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine – Effectiveness of tests to inform COVID-19 diagnosis Open >

Evidence digest

We’ve produced a digest of links to websites which collate or synthesize evidence relating to COVID-19.  This is a quick guide, and therefore not exhaustive, but it will be updated regularly as required.

Click here to read the latest evidence digest.

Scientific advice

Technology developers and companies who are developing therapeutics and diagnostics related to COVID-19 can receive free scientific advice from HTW.

Our advice can help with a number of aspects of health technology assessments, including; evidence collection, evidence generation, economic modelling etc.

Work with HTW

To get in touch with HTW about anything related to our COVID-19 work, email info@healthtechnology.wales or click here to contact us..

We’re inviting COVID-related research questions, evidence reviews and requests for economics support. Organisations involved in Health Technology Assessments (HTA), guidelines and economic modelling are invited to engage with us to see how we can collaborate and share resources.

Feedback for our COVID-19 work

News

COVID-19

Jan 2022

HTW completes study on transmission of Covid-19 from vaccinated people

A rapid review by HTW researchers exploring the risk of Covid-19 transmission from people vaccinated against the virus has been published. HTW carried out the rapid review of evidence on the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 from vaccinated people to unvaccinated or vaccinated people on behalf of the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre (WCEC).

COVID-19

Mar 2021

Health Technology Wales to partner with Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre

The national Health Technology Assessment (HTA) body will provide research expertise and input to the brand-new £3m centre for COVID-19 topics.

COVID-19

Jan 2021

Suspension of HTW appraisal process

We have, unfortunately, taken the decision to suspend our Appraisal Panel meetings and the publication of new national Guidance until further notice.

More information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19):


Further advice and resources:

  • The All Wales Therapeutics & Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) is providing therapeutic advice to aid the appropriate use of medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.
  • Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is providing regular updates about its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is supporting the NHS and social care to respond quickly to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.
  • The Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) is highlighting reliable resources that can aid health and care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here.