KCARE Report for CRAG's Meeting

29th September 2005

Kings Centre for the Assessment of Radiological Equipment (KCARE) has provided the NHS with advice on the selection and purchasing of radiological equipment since 1979. The centre is part of the independent evaluation programme supported by the UK Department of Health. The KCARE website provides information on the performance of diagnostic imaging equipment as well as report published by KCARE, details of courses, additional service and links to other useful sites.

Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing

On 1 September 2005 the Device Evaluation Service (DES), including KCARE, was transferred from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) and is now known as the Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing (CEP). NHS PASA is the government agency responsible for ensuring the NHS makes the most effective use of its resources by getting value for money and maximising patient benefit when purchasing goods and services.

The NHS PASA Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing will underpin procurement decisions and support the uptake of useful, safe, innovative products and related procedures in health and social care. Currently, the service is being re-designed to ensure it meets the requirements of HITF, the needs of purchasers throughout health and social care and it is a useful mechanism for companies marketing promising new medical products and technologies.

As part of these changes a system by which any interested party (NHS purchaser, patients or Manufactures) can put forward a product or products for inclusion in the Evaluation programme is being set up. The process is due to start in January 2006.

During the re-design process, the NHS PASA Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing will continue to publish independent comparative evaluation reports to inform purchasing decisions. KCARE reports are available on the NHS PASA website (www.pasa.nhs.uk/cep) or by contacting KCARE (www.kcare.co.uk).

KCARE are starting to collect data for the 5th revision of the Comparative Cardiac Report. The report should include the Toshiba Infinix CSi/FPD and the latest updates to the Philips Allura Xper dose reduction management system. Anyone with a new GE Innova, Philips Allura Xper, Siemens Axiom Artis dFC or Toshiba Infinix CSi/FPD who wish to take part should contact Donald Emerton at KCARE.

For previous KCARE reports click here