> Latest adoption audit report reveals impact of HTW guidance in Wales
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19 January, 2026

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Latest adoption audit report reveals impact of HTW guidance in Wales

 

We are pleased to announce the publication of our 2024/25 Adoption Audit Report.

This year we audited six pieces of HTW guidance and three pieces of NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation (MTEP) guidance.

The audit achieved the best response rate to date at 98% with participation by all 10 commissioning organisations in Wales.

 

 

Key findings from the adoption audit  include the following:

  • Clarity of guidance was reported to be good in almost all cases (96%)
  • Guidance was reported as having some form of impact on decision-making in most cases (59%)
  • Responses from organisations where the guidance was relevant indicate a fall in awareness of guidance overall compared to previous audits, with 60% of organisations confirming that organisations were aware of guidance.
  • Intentions to follow guidance recommendations were variable for each piece of HTW guidance assessed, with the most compliance for HTW’s guidance on multi-grip myoelectric upper limb prosthetics and the least compliance for HTW’s guidance on percutaneously implanted pulmonary artery pressure sensors.
  • NICE guidance was almost universally followed, and most of the NICE guidance had some level of impact on decision-making

 

Overall, awareness and impact levels of guidance were consistent with previous audits among organisations that both commission and provide a technology but were notably lower among organisations that are commissioners only. Changes introduced this year to the clarifications of what should be considered relevant guidance may have contributed to these findings.

 

Despite a high proportion of organisations stating that guidance recommendations were clear, some respondents provided comments that suggested there is uncertainty around how organisations decide which guidance is relevant to them, what they are expected to do in response to guidance and who is responsible for implementing guidance.

 

Going forward HTW and commissioning organisations will continue to review their processes for disseminating guidance to ensure optimal awareness of guidance. Meanwhile HTW, the WNHN and Welsh Government will reiterate and clarify the status of HTW and NICE guidance in Wales, including expectations of commissioning organisations in response to this guidance.

 

Susan Myles, Director of Health Technology Wales, said:

 

“Our latest adoption report provides valuable insights into the impact of our guidance across Wales.

“We are committed to making ongoing improvements to our adoption audit processes and continue to work closely with our stakeholders across Wales to raise levels of awareness of our guidance.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their continued support of our work and their valuable contributions to the adoption audit.”

 

To read the HTW 2024/25 adoption audit report in full click here.