Health 
Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group (APHG) have long recognised the growing importance of technology within the new Government’s health agenda. Following the publication of the 10 Year Health Plan, the APHG has examined how digital technologies can strengthen the health and care system, alleviate pressures and improve access to medical care in the UK.
As part of this programme of work, the APHG convened its first roundtable discussion in October 2025, bringing together senior leaders from Parliament, healthcare, industry and academia. The discussion focused on the transition from analogue to digital systems across the health service, with particular attention to artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
Laying the Foundations for Digital Transformation
Digital innovation and transformation in healthcare have received broad support from industry stakeholders, it is clear transformation cannot succeed without strong foundations within the system.
Public trust was emphasised as a central theme during the discussion. As digital systems become embedded across care pathways, from triage and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, questions of data use, privacy and security become ever more salient. Participants of the discussion repeatedly highlighted that trust must be actively built and maintained, not assumed. Transparency about how patient data is used, clear accountability structures, and visible safeguards are essential if the public is to feel confident in a digitally enabled NHS.
Workforce readiness also emerged as a critical issue. Technology cannot simply be “bolted on” to existing systems. Healthcare professionals must be equipped with the skills, training and confidence to use digital tools safely and effectively. Participants noted that new technologies are too often introduced without adequate consultation or support. When systems are implemented without proper training, or without reliable infrastructure, frustration increases and safety risks may follow.
Importantly, infrastructure challenges continue to constrain progress. Without consistent broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity, and without interoperability between IT systems within trusts, the promise of improved productivity and equitable access to digital services will remain unrealised.
Key Recommendations from the Roundtable
- Strengthening Infrastructure
Healthcare professionals and staff have repeatedly highlighted the challenges brought about by poor physical infrastructure. Improved connectivity and interoperable IT systems are prerequisites. Without an updated technical infrastructure, the ambition of digitising the NHS remains a pipe dream.
- Supporting the Healthcare Workforce
AI and digital tools should support, not replace, clinical judgement. When implemented well, they can reduce administrative burden and enable more patient-centred care. However, this requires meaningful engagement with professionals, alongside comprehensive training and clear guidance.
- Building Trust and Accountability
Trust, transparency, and accountability must be embedded in the design and deployment of digital systems. Clear governance frameworks, patient engagement, and robust safeguards will be vital to ensuring that innovation does not entrench existing health inequalities or undermine public confidence.
- Getting Regulation Right
Regulation must strike a careful balance: protecting patients and professionals while enabling responsible innovation. A proportionate, consistent and agile regulatory approach is essential. AI should not be viewed solely as a risk to be constrained, but as a tool that, if governed well, can enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
The Way Forward
Despite increasing policy momentum, significant questions remain unresolved. As the Government develops its implementation plans for the 10 Year Health Plan, greater clarity is needed on how issues of safety, trust and accountability will be addressed in practice.
In particular:
- What would success look like in five or ten years if digital transformation is delivered effectively?
- How can policymakers ensure that adoption of new technologies does not widen inequalities in access, outcomes or workforce capacity?
- What is the appropriate scope and purpose of regulation in AI-enabled healthcare? Where should accountability sit when technologies fail or cause harm?
The APHG is seeking to host an inquiry on AI and digital technologies in healthcare that will explore the above questions and more. If you are interested in supporting the inquiry, please write to Lavanya.rangarajan@policyconnect.org.uk.
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