UK

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, Health Technology Wales (HTW) accomplished one full appraisal on cone-beam computed tomography for breast imaging in people with suspected breast cancer. Additionally, three Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published in the fields of e-health and in vitro diagnostics.

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.

In May 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released two Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned artificial intelligence software to help detect fractures on X-rays in urgent care and outpatient paracentesis for Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will launch the 2026 open call for topics on July 1. Proposals may be submitted until September 30, 2026. The UK NSC conducts calls for topics every two years. Proposals may relate to new screening topics, updates to previously considered topics, or changes to existing screening programmes.

On May 20, 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that the MHRA-NICE Real-World Evidence Scientific Dialogue (RWE SD) pilot has become an established service. The service will be delivered through precompetitive “safe harbour” workshops jointly convened by the MHRA and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Four workshops will be held each year, organized across two application cycles. Expressions of interest for the first 2026 cycle may be submitted until August 17, 2026.

In June 2026, NHS England announced the fourth round of its NHS Cancer Program Innovation Open Call funding competition. The call is seeking innovations that address two key challenges: improving productivity by managing demand or increasing capacity across cancer care pathways, and driving earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer. Applications are expected to open in September 2026, with potential applicants invited to attend a briefing webinar on June 18, 2026.

In May 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Early Use HealthTech Guidances (HTGs) on digital technologies to support self-management of asthma and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies for echocardiography analysis and reporting in heart failure.

On May 14, 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) introduced a Health Bill (“the bill”) to Parliament, initiating a staged approval process toward Royal Assent. The bill legislates for several measures, including abolishing NHS England, empowering integrated care boards (ICBs) as strategic commissioners, and reforming the NHS foundation trust model.