Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England outlines regulatory priorities
The government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England outlines a regulatory shift to position the NHS as a global leader in digital health and life sciences. Regulatory reforms will accelerate clinical trial setup, with a goal of reducing set-up time to 150 days by March 2026, and support adoption of genomics, wearables, and robotics. A new Health Data Research Service (HDRS), backed by £600m, will enhance access to NHS data for research. The plan positions the NHS as the world’s most AI-enabled health system, integrating AI into clinical pathways and administrative functions, with regulatory oversight expanding to ensure safe deployment. NICE’s technology appraisal process will expand to cover devices, diagnostics, and digital tools. Genomic initiatives include universal newborn sequencing and large-scale adult genome studies. Access to medicines will be reformed through outcome-based pricing models and expanded use of public-private partnerships.