NHS to trial AI tools

The UK government accepted all 44 recommendations from a national AI commission on Tuesday (6 October), opening a faster route for AI into the NHS.

The government and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) set out the plans in a response to the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.

The government said it would explore new staged authorisation pathways for AI tools in healthcare. These would let the NHS use promising AI tools earlier under close supervision while developers gather further real-world evidence.

The commission published its report on 10 September after a year-long programme that drew input from more than 12,000 patients, clinicians and members of the public. It concluded that the UK needed a more proportionate system that monitors AI medical devices throughout their working life, rather than relying on a single assessment.

“We want all patients to benefit from the life-saving potential of AI, with the confidence that it is safe, effective and properly overseen. We also want to see the NHS harness the best new technologies to give patients faster, better care and give staff more time to focus on patients,” said James Frith, Health Innovation Minister.

The government committed to keeping patients informed when doctors use AI in their care. It also pledged to improve access to redress when care falls below expected standards and to share the benefits of AI fairly across all communities, including underserved groups.

“Patients have told us they want artificial intelligence that improves care without compromising safety, transparency or accountability,” said Henrietta Hughes, Deputy Chair of the National Commission and Patient Safety Commissioner for England.

The MHRA plans to issue draft guidance by December 2026 on how AI medical devices can change as they adapt and improve over time. The regulator will also open a consultation next year on how to qualify and classify AI-enabled devices.

A new Programme Board will oversee work across government, the MHRA, NHS partners and the devolved authorities on nine priority areas. The government will publish a full implementation roadmap covering all 44 recommendations by spring 2027.

Regulator reopens its AI sandbox

The MHRA also opened applications for the third phase of AI Airlock, its regulatory sandbox for AI-enabled medical devices. The programme has secured three more years of government funding.

Phase 3 will test how developers, regulators and healthcare partners can monitor AI devices safely after hospitals and clinics start using them.

Developers of eligible AI-enabled medical devices can apply through the government’s website before applications close in November 2026. The MHRA will hold a webinar for prospective applicants on 22 October at 10:00 and select its first wave of innovators in November.

“This is about making sure patients can benefit from safe, trusted AI more quickly, while never losing sight of the safeguards that maintain public confidence,” said Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA.

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