Microwave technology saves diabetic patient from double amputation

I worked in that space for a couple of years as CTO for a software company doing calendar optimisation for community nursing (i.e. nurses visiting patients at home). It was challenging at times, becausethe output could affect patient care (for example, incorrectly scheduling a morning insulin injection for an afternoon appointment), and so it was considered a Class 2 medical device, so we had to go through some of the hoops. I was actively encouraged by the people doing the quality assessments to use a waterfall approach to plan and deliver my releases very slowly.

The creators must have done that leg work for this to be used as a trial, so now its uptake will come down to cost/benefit of immediate and long-term treatment. And, to make things more complicated, there isn't one buyer for the NHS making this decision: it's 200+ independent NHS trusts who all make their own spending decisions in line with central policy. Until it becomes national policy to use this treatment, it's going to be each trust making their own mind up.

However, the quote "we had nothing to lose" sounds like this might be a cost effective mechanism compared to long-term treatment of an amputee. It obviously produces a much better patient outcome compared to amputation.

I'd therefore expect it to be in widespread use within a couple of years, maybe, depending on whether the manufacturer can support/scale delivery and training and whether trusts are left to figure this out or whether central bodies pass down a policy on using it.

[1] https://innovation.nhs.uk/innovation-guides/regulation/pdf/

I think you should ask: which healthcare system takes not forever to adopt innovative treatments?