England

In August 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England published five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, concerning craniectomy in acute subdural hematoma, blood-test monitoring strategies for patients on immunosuppressants, home-testing devices for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea, an electronic frailty index, and chronic wound dressing.

In August 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a new routine-use HealthTech Guidance (HTG) on ex-situ machine perfusion devices to preserve deceased donor livers for transplantation.

On August 25, 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated the NICE-wide Topic Prioritisation manual. The key update concerns the routing of HealthTech topics to technology appraisal as part of the new National HealthTech Access Program (NHAP), which is now clearly described in the manual.

On August 17, 2026, the application window opened to join the 2027 NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) program. The application deadline is September 27, 2026.

On August 6, 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its delivery plan, setting out how it will support the safe, effective, and scalable adoption of artificial intelligence across the NHS in 2026/27. The plan focuses on three areas: using AI for evidence generation and evaluation of innovation, evaluating AI-powered health technologies, and using AI to improve NICE’s own work.

On July 16, 2026, NHS England updated the 2026/27 National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD), initially published in April 2026. The directory lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England and provided through Genomic Laboratory Hubs. One new test was added to the directory for haematological oncology. Three new multi-target NGS panels, including one ctDNA (liquid biopsy), were added to the directory for non-CNS cancers for carcinoma of unknown primary origin.

In July 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released two Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned colon capsule endoscopy and surgery for early structural osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

On August 3, 2026, NHS England released an updated work plan for the development of Clinical Commissioning Policies for specialised services, reflecting the status as of July 2026. The update includes four new MedTech-related policies in the radiotherapy and orthopedic fields, and the initiation of two new policies in the gastrointestinal and reproductive health areas. The status of ongoing policies has been revised, and two policies for proton beam therapy have been discontinued.

In July 2026, an independent review of UK pathology services was published. It covers seven main areas: international experience, the devolved UK nations, quality, workforce, patient access, digital and diagnostic infrastructure, and value and funding. Among the six system-wide priorities, the report recommends aligning digital, workforce, and funding reforms into a single implementation program, moving towards activity-aligned funding through a price-per-test tariff model.

On July 9, 2026, the UK Government published its first annual progress report on the Life Sciences Sector Plan, launched in July 2025. The report outlines progress and next steps across actions intended to strengthen research and development, attract investment, and accelerate health innovation and NHS reform. The key developments include the launch of the National HealthTech Access Programme, and the introduction of Value Based Procurement guidance.

On June 30, 2026, an independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England was published. In response, NHS England introduced a 10-Point Plan setting out urgent actions, while the government announced the appointment of the UK’s first Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner. A comprehensive national action plan, outlining priority measures and long-term reforms, is expected to be published in December 2026.

In June 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency, primary endovascular revascularization procedures for chronic limb-threatening ischemia, placental growth factor (PLGF)-based testing for suspected pre-eclampsia, and digital front door technologies before assessment for NHS Talking Therapies.