On 6 October 2026, the government confirmed its acceptance of all 44 recommendations made by the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare. The Commission's report was published on 10 September, and the government has outlined how these recommendations will be implemented across the UK.
A central conclusion of the Commission was the need for a more proportionate, lifecycle-based framework for AI technologies in healthcare, moving away from over-reliance on one-time assessments. The government's response commits the UK to developing an agile approach to AI device regulation, aiming to support innovation while maintaining patient safety and public trust.
Alongside this announcement, the MHRA has opened applications for the third phase of its AI Airlock regulatory sandbox for AI-enabled medical devices. This phase will focus on post-market surveillance and lifecycle regulation, directly informed by the Commission's recommendations. The MHRA is also committed to issuing draft guidance by December 2026 on managing changes to AI-enabled medical devices as they evolve.
Further commitments include exploring new staged authorisation pathways for promising AI tools in the NHS under close supervision. A full implementation roadmap, detailing timelines and responsibilities for all 44 recommendations, is expected by Spring 2027.