New National Commission aims to make the NHS the most AI-enabled healthcare system in the world. 

The UK government has announced the formation of a new National Commission to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the NHS. This initiative is part of the broader “Plan for Change,” which aims to position the NHS as a global leader in AI-enabled healthcare.  

With clinical leaders, patient advocates and leading tech firms involved, the Commission will review tech that’s being held back by regulatory uncertainty, like AI assistants for doctors and Ambient Voice Technology (AVT), and work to provide wider access to enable patients to benefit from innovation sooner. It will also help the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) rewrite the regulatory rulebook on AI in healthcare, which will be published in 2026.  

Legal and operational considerations 

While the potential benefits of AI in healthcare are significant, the legal and operational risks must be carefully managed. Key considerations for healthcare providers implementing AI include: 

• Due diligence and contractual clarity: Healthcare providers must undertake robust due diligence before entering into contracts with technology providers, and agreements should clearly define the scope of use, data governance arrangements, intellectual property rights, and liability in the event of system failure or patient harm. 
• Regulatory compliance: Healthcare providers must ensure that any AI tool used meets applicable regulatory standards, including those set by the MHRA and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), particularly where personal data is processed. 
• Duty of care and liability: The use of AI does not diminish the healthcare provider’s duty of care. Staff must be adequately trained to understand the capabilities and limitations of AI systems, and to exercise clinical judgment when interpreting outputs, and organisations should have robust policies and procedures in place to govern the use of AI. If staff have used AI correctly and taken all reasonable measures, then it would be difficult to show that a defendant healthcare provider was in breach of their duty.  
• Risk management: Misuse or overreliance on AI, for instance, automation bias can expose providers to legal claims, whether they be medical negligence, product liability or data protection. Risk assessments and Data Protection Impact Assessment’s (DPIA) should be conducted prior to implementation, and governance frameworks should be established to monitor ongoing performance and safety. 

Conclusion: Practical steps and legal support 

Technology in this space moves so quickly that regulators can struggle to keep pace. We therefore welcome this announcement from the MHRA, which aligns with the key goals in the recently released NHS 10 Year Plan, and demonstrates a positive intention to help reduce the current ‘grey area’ surrounding the use of AI in healthcare.  

To ensure the National Commission’s work reflects the full breadth of perspectives, a formal call for evidence will be launched following the initial announcement. 

How Capsticks can help 

As experts in legal issues surrounding digital healthcare, at Capsticks, we are perfectly positioned to guide you through these opportunities and challenges. As a full-service firm, we offer comprehensive advice on all aspects of digital healthcare, including: 

• Claims risk and data protection: Ensuring your data is secure and compliant with regulations. 
• Contractual and commercial responsibilities: Navigating the complexities of digital health contracts. 
• Employment issues: Managing the workforce in a digital healthcare environment. 
• Procurement of AI: Assisting with the acquisition and implementation of AI technologies. 

For any questions about the insights or their impact on your organisation, please contact Tana Dryden-Strong or Andrew Latham for support with data protection, FOI, privacy, litigation, and healthcare transactional matters.

For medical malpractice, clinical negligence, risk management, or governance matters, Majid Hassan has extensive experience in advising the NHS, Lloyd’s underwriters, and leading medical defence organisations.