History of the HTA programme
The HTA programme was set up in 1993 following the publication of the first NHS R&D strategy, which aimed to create a research system that provided reliable and relevant information to help inform decisions on health policy, clinical practice and the management of services. Since then it has become a world leader in the production of independent research information about the effectiveness, costs and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS.
Highlights
1997
HTA programme publishes its first journal: Home parenteral nutrition (Health Technol Assess; 1.1).
1998
Service users are invited to become actively involved in the work of the HTA programme. See our involving the public pages to find out more.
1999
HTA programme starts working with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The first project commissioned to inform NICE guidance is: Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the prophylactic removal of wisdom teeth (Health Technol Assess; 4.15).
2003
HTA programme celebrates 10 years. Key HTA research feeds into the National Screening Committee's policy around screening for Down's syndrome SURUSS (serum, urine and ultrasound screening study) (Health Technol Assess; 7.11).
2005
HTA Disease Prevention Panel is launched in response to ‘Choosing Health’ white paper. It aims to identify and prioritise health promotion and public health research topics. See our Public Health Themed Update for details of HTA research in this area.
The HTA programme launches its first themed call, in the area of medicines for children, in support of the newly created Medicines for Children Research Network.
300th issue of the HTA journal series is published The SAFE study (Health Technol Assess; 9.40). See also HTA Spotlight: Screening for atrial fibrillation.
2006
New strategy for NHS research, Best Research for Best Health, published. The HTA programme becomes part of a new National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
HTA Clinical Trials responsive funding stream is launched. Two hundred and fifty-five responses are received following the first call.
Research funded by the HTA programme finds that using bedside pulmonary artery catheterisation (PAC) in the management of critically ill patients provides no benefit for patients (Health Technol Assess; 10.29). See news item
A review of health research funding by Sir David Cooksey is published as part of the Chancellor's pre-budget report. The Cooksey Review notes the success of the HTA programme in providing the NHS with a high quality evidence base, and suggests that the growing needs of the health service could be met by expanding the HTA programme further. See news item
2007
The Chlamydia Screening Studies (ClaSS) project, the largest study of its kind, answers some of the biggest questions about chlamydia, informing the development of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (Health Technol Assess; 11.8). See news item
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