The UK Government has launched a new National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare, aimed at accelerating safe access to AI tools across the NHS. The Commission will advise the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on rewriting the regulatory framework for AI in healthcare, with a new rulebook set to be published next year.
The Commission brings together experts from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, alongside leading clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates, to ensure British patients benefit first from the latest innovations in AI-powered healthcare.
One of the Commission’s early priorities is to address regulatory uncertainty around AI assistants for doctors, such as Ambient Voice Technology, which helps clinicians by automatically taking notes. Early trials show this tech reduces admin time, allowing more patients to be seen in A&E and enabling doctors to focus more on care.
The Commission will also provide clarity on AI tools for radiology, pathology, and remote patient monitoring, supporting virtual care and early detection of health deterioration—all while helping patients live independently at home.
By creating a clear and modern regulatory pathway, the UK aims to attract global tech companies to invest and deploy their latest AI innovations in Britain. This supports the government’s Plan for Change and its ambition to build an NHS fit for the future, while also driving growth in the UK’s life sciences sector.
Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Liz Kendall, commented:
“AI has incredible potential to help doctors spot and treat diseases earlier. But we need experts to come together so patients can benefit from these opportunities quickly and safely.
“This Commission will ensure the UK leads the way in making these game-changing technologies available in the safest possible way, helping more of us to lead healthy, longer lives and supporting our NHS.”
Chaired by Professor Alastair Denniston, a practising NHS clinician and head of the UK’s Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science in AI & Digital Health, and deputy chaired by Professor Henrietta Hughes, the Patient Safety Commissioner, the Commission will ensure AI is safely and effectively integrated into everyday healthcare.
AI is already making a difference in the NHS. It supports diagnosis in 100% of stroke units in England, and thanks to the AI Diagnostic Fund, 50% of hospital trusts now use AI to detect conditions like lung cancer. Research shows hospitals using AI diagnostics have seen a 42% reduction in diagnostic errors.
The Commission’s work will directly support the NHS’s digital transformation, helping the UK become a global hub for health tech investment. A formal call for evidence will be launched soon, inviting contributions from across the UK and internationally to shape the Commission’s recommendations.
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