National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare

The National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare is an expert, non-statutory advisory body established by the MHRA to review current regulations and provide recommendations for a new regulatory framework for AI in healthcare.

Purpose of the National AI Commission

Launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 26 September 2025, the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare brings together global AI leaders, clinicians and regulators to advise the MHRA on the development of a new regulatory framework for AI in healthcare, to be published in 2026.

The National Commission will produce recommendations to advise the development of MHRA guidance in the interim, addressing urgent areas of uncertainty for the healthcare system and industry.

The National Commission will help enable key commitments in the government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England and Life Sciences Sector Plan to transform the NHS for the benefit of patients and drive economic growth in the UK’s life sciences sector. 

Engagement programme

The work of the National Commission is being informed by a UK-wide research and engagement programme, led by the MHRA, which aims to ensure a broad range of views are heard and considered. 

As part of this programme, the MHRA ran an open Call for Evidence from December 2025 to February 2026. The Call for Evidence was open to everyone across the UK and internationally, inviting anyone with views, lived experience or expertise to help shape the future of healthcare.  

We appreciate all individuals and organisations who contributed to the Call for Evidence. Feedback is currently being analysed and will help to shape the Commission’s recommendations.  

Alongside the Call for Evidence, the work of the Commission is also being supported by on-going targeted engagement to ensure that patient groups, healthcare professionals, and industry can contribute in more depth.

The MHRA is working in partnership with The Health Foundation to deliver a programme of public deliberation sessions, and with National Voices to support targeted engagement with seldom engaged groups. A structured clinical engagement programme is also being held with healthcare leaders. Further opportunities for public involvement in the work will be communicated on this page.    

Working groups

The Commission is supported by Working Groups that bring together specialist insight from across government, the health and care system, industry, and partners across the four nations.

The four working groups are:

  • Cross Whitehall Working Group: Chaired by Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA. This group identifies opportunities for policy alignment and operational collaboration across central government departments to ensure unified delivery.
  • Devolved Authorities Working Group: Chaired by Professor Catherine Sudlow, Director of the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the UKRI Adolescent Health Study and Generation Scotland. This group engages with governments health authorities across the four nations (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) to reflect regional perspectives and ensure coherence with national frameworks  .
  • Health Systems Working Group: Chaired by Professor Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner for England and former National Guardian for the NHS. This group examines the integration, resilience, and performance of health and regulatory systems in relation to the Commission’s priorities.
  • Technology Working Group: Chaired by Professor Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge and a leading UK expert in AI and probabilistic modelling. This group leads on identifying, evaluating, and advising on the state of the art and upcoming frontier technologies – including their experience and interactions with regulation – to support the Commission’s strategic objectives.

Publications and news

Communications from members

Membership

Chaired by Professor Alastair Denniston, practising NHS clinician and head of the UK’s Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science in AI & Digital Health (CERSI-AI), with the deputy chair as the Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes, the group will guide the MHRA on how cutting-edge AI technologies can be safely and effectively integrated into everyday healthcare.

The Commission is supported by the four specialist working groups, which receive secretarial and logistical support from the MHRA. The full membership of these working groups will be published on this page in due course.

Members of National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare 

Professor Alastair Denniston, Professor of Regulatory Science and Innovation at the University of Birmingham, Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Executive Director of the UK Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science in AI & DigitalHealthTech (CERSI-AI).

Professor Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner for England. Responsible for promoting the safety of patients with regard to the use of medicines and medical devices, and to promote the importance of the views of patients and other members of the public in relation to the safety of medicines and medical devices. A practising GP and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Medicine, University of Greater Manchester.

Professor Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge and Chief Scientist at Trent AI. A leading expert in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science with particular focus on healthcare applications.

Professor Cathie Sudlow, Director of the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the UKRI Adolescent Health Study and Generation Scotland. Leads large-scale population health research studies and epidemiological research.

Brian Anderson, CEO of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), a collaborative organisation working to advance the responsible adoption of AI in healthcare. Has extensive experience in health technology leadership and digital health innovation.

Dr Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of HealthAI, the Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health. A medical doctor and researcher specialising in the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare systems globally.

Adj Prof (Dr) Raymond Chua, Chief Executive Officer, Health Sciences Authority; Deputy Director-General of Health (Health Regulation), Ministry of Health, Singapore.

Dame Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, one of the UK’s leading health policy think tanks. Has extensive experience in health policy analysis and research, focusing on healthcare quality, efficiency, and system reform.

Dr Paul Goldsmith, Non-Executive Director MHRA; Chair, MHRA’s Regulatory and Safety Committee; visiting Professor, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London; Consultant Neurologist, Clinical Senate and 25 years working in life sciences.

Dr Vish Ratnasuriya MBE, practising GP, Chair of Our Health Partnership, co-founder of Primary Care Accelerator, and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham. Focuses on primary care innovation and digital health transformation.

Dr Gabriella Spinelli, Director of the RADIANT-CERSI Centre for Regulatory Science & Innovation in Digital Health & Healthcare AI at Brunel University of London. Specialises in regulatory science for digital health technologies and AI in healthcare.

Barry Stein, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer and Chief Medical Informatics Officer for Hartford HealthCare, leading digital transformation and AI implementation across one of America’s largest healthcare systems.

Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, leading regional health innovation initiatives and partnerships between the NHS, academia, and industry to improve patient outcomes through technology and innovation.

Professor Richard Susskind CBE KC, President of the Society for Computers and Law, Special Envoy for Justice and AI to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and leading authority on the impact of AI on the future of the professions.

Meetings: summary minutes

The National Commission will hold monthly meetings during the creation of their recommendations. A summary of the key points discussed by the core group at these meetings will be published here.

Summary minutes: first meeting of National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare (15 October 2025) (PDF, 171 KB, 2 pages)

Summary Minutes: Second meeting of the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare (20 November 2025) (PDF, 121 KB, 2 pages)

Summary minutes: Third meeting of the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare (15 December 2025) (PDF, 136 KB, 3 pages)

Contact details

info@mhra.gov.uk

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