The medical device company Medtronic welcomed the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and South West Hertfordshire MP David Gauke to their UK & Ireland Headquarters in Croxley Green Business Park today.

The visit included a demonstration on how medical technology and new approaches to medicine can improve patient outcomes and help the NHS to make the most of their resources at a time when the service is trying to make savings.

Among the therapies that Mr Gauke saw was a new treatment for treatment-resistant hypertension (high blood pressure) called renal denervation (RDN).

This minimally invasive, one-time procedure selectively silences the renal nerves using radio frequency (RF) energy delivered through the renal artery wall via a catheter. By accessing and disabling these nerves, renal denervation aims to reduce traffic throughout the sympathetic nervous system and thus provides a durable reduction in blood pressure without compromising the renal artery.

Jackie Fielding, Vice President for Medtronic UK & Ireland, said: "The NHS faces the key challenge of how to treat an ageing population with an increasing number of chronic conditions while making efficiency savings. We are delighted that David has had an opportunity to see first-hand the value of medical technology in helping the NHS to meet this challenge."

The MP said: "Looking after the growing number of people with long term health conditions will be a considerable challenge for our NHS in the years to come and it's good to see that medical device companies like Medtronic are succeeding in innovating to provide cost effective solutions for patients."

As part of the visit Mr Gauke commended the work of the company locally where in the last year the Medtronic Community Action Team has raised more than £1,600, donated 42 bags of clothing and gave time to support local charities including Watford New Hope Trust and the Peace Hospice.

He said: "It is great to see a multinational company giving something back to the local community through fund raising and employees volunteering, and having fun at the same time."

Medtronic has been based in Watford for more than 35 years and at Croxley Business Park since 1987. The company employs 120 people in Croxley Green in customer services, finance, HR and business support roles supporting hospitals and patients across the UK and Ireland.