UK

On April 8, 2026, NHS England published the 2026/27 National Genomic Test Directory. The key update concerns hematological and neurological cancers, for which separate files were published with a significant restructure: new genomic test (GT) codes were introduced, gathered into new clinically relevant test packages (TP), and mapped to existing M-codes. Furthermore, multiple changes were made in the rare and inherited diseases directory, including the addition of several new codes.

In March 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned eye screening programs in diabetes, surgical and non-surgical splint treatment for finger fractures, diagnostic strategies for ovarian cancer, biomarkers for outcomes prediction in adults with suspected sepsis, and diagnostic tools of peripheral arterial disease in diabetes.

On April 8, 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) launched a funding opportunity to support the generation of real-world evidence for technologies recommended through NICE early use guidance. Outline applications should be submitted by May 27, 2026. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application, with the final funding decision expected in December 2026.

In March 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new HealthTech Guidances (HTGs) on surgical and percutaneous insertion of a catheter-based left ventricular microaxial flow pump for cardiogenic shock, off-pump minimal access mitral valve repair by artificial chordae insertion, and AI technologies to help detect or characterize colorectal polyps. In addition, two clinical guidelines were updated.

On March 26, 2026, NHS England published the final version of the 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme, effective from April 1, 2026. While the overall payment model remains largely unchanged, several targeted updates have been introduced. These include new blended payments for urgent and emergency care, radiotherapy, and genomic testing, as well as two new Best Practice Tariffs (BPTs) to incentivize day case procedures and support 10 Year Health Plan referral-to-treatment (RTT) priorities.

As of March 2026, the Scottish Health Technologies Group is working on health technology assessments in several areas, including diagnostic imaging, e-health, endoscopy, ENT, in-vitro diagnostics, and radiotherapy.

In late February 2026, NHS England updated the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) guidance, following a 2024 review and industry engagement. This simplifies the assessment by introducing a new DTAC form with 25% fewer questions and removing duplication with other processes. The revision also provides clearer guidance on DTAC’s purpose, scope, and how to complete assessments, and aligns the scope with NICE standards, focusing on software-based digital health technologies. The previous version of the DTAC form should not be used after April 6, 2026.

On 2 March 2026, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced the next phase in the transfer of national commissioning functions, subject to parliamentary approval. From April 2027, integrated care boards (ICBs) will assume responsibility for a broader set of services, including selected specialised services (in addition to those already delegated), most components of screening programs, and public health functions. Following the expected abolition of NHS England in 2027, DHSC will take on the remaining national commissioning responsibilities, including highly specialised services and High Cost devices, as well as maintaining national service specifications and clinical commissioning policies.

In February 2026, Health Technology Wales (HTW) accomplished one full appraisal on capsule sponge devices for the detection of Barrett’s esophagus and early-stage esophageal cancer. Additionally, two Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published in the urology and gynecology fields.

In February 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps and submucosal fibroids, magnetic resonance enterography for Crohn's disease, oxygen saturation in critically ill children, paravertebral and thoracic epidural blockade for post-thoracotomy pain and Artificial Intelligence technologies for assessing skin lesions.

In February 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new HealthTech Guidances (HTGs) on transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation, leadless cardiac pacemakers for bradyarrhythmia, and pulmonary artery pressure technologies for remote monitoring of chronic heart failure.

On February 4, 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England published the National Cancer Plan for England, setting out a decade-long, technology-enabled transformation of cancer services, with substantial commitments to diagnostics, AI, genomics, robotic surgery, digital tools, and innovation-driven care pathways. The key ambition is that, by 2035, three out of four people diagnosed with cancer will be cancer-free, or living well with cancer after five years.