GP appointment data in general practice has revealed that there were over 1.2 million more GP appointments via online or video means in April 2026 than the same month last year. Just under 3.5 million online or video appointments were recorded in April 2026, with 18.8 million face-to-face appointments held. […]
Author: Jennifer Turton
MHRA to launch AI sandbox for medicines development and testing
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced plans to launch a regulatory AI sandbox with the aim to explore how artificial intelligence can support medicines development and safety. The sandbox, funded by the Regulatory Innovation Office, will enable AI tools to be tested that have the potential to […]
Study highlights potential for digitally-enabled support for people with MSK conditions
A study into the impact of a digital exercise programme designed to support adults managing MSK problems has found that it provides similar outcomes to face-to-face physiotherapy. The platform, Good Boost, provides digital personalised therapeutic exercises to support those living with long-term conditions. Data from 40,000 exercise sessions highlighted that […]
HTN ICB Region Series: South East
ICB Region Series: South East For our ICB region series for 2026, we take a deep dive into what’s happening with digital and data across the South East region, sharing pilots and innovations, strategies, case studies, and insights from the sector. Digital strategy, digital plans and priorities Thames Valley ICB, […]
Pennine Care NHS notes delivery and progress on EPR, EPMA, and digital foundations
A year-end overview of delivery and progress against strategy and ambitions at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has highlighted work done on EPR, EPMA, and wider digital infrastructure. Digital foundations have been upgraded, the trust notes, with WiFi and connectivity improved, digital functionality around inpatients and care planning delivered, and […]
Three projects awarded €3,788,000 in EU initiative to “make health data usable”
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency has announced three winners following an open call for innovative projects looking to make health data “usable, interoperable, and clinically meaningful across fragmented systems”. The Regional Innovation Valley project UNITE is funded by the EU to further European digital health innovation and […]
Government announces £20 million investment into digital referrals from high street optometrists to secondary care
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced a £20 million investment to roll out e-referrals to all optical practices with NHS contracts in England, to support direct referrals to secondary services including NHS Online when it launches in 2027. DHSC has shared hopes that this will allow “millions” […]
HTN Now: The role of the CNIO in digital transformation now and in the future
For a recent HTN Now webinar exploring the role of the CNIO in digital transformation now and in the future, we were joined by an expert panel including Melanie De Witt, CNIO at North Bristol NHS Trust; Louise Croxall, CNIO at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust; Natalie Hayes, CNIO at Wirral […]
National roll out of Microsoft Copilot announced for 500,000 NHS staff
NHS England has announced the roll out of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 505,000 NHS clinical and support staff, with ambitions of freeing up an average of two days per month from administrative tasks by using AI to help draft documents and analyse data “more effectively”. The roll out follows a […]
National AI strategy for Canada announces billions in investment across sovereign compute, health data, standardisation, sustainability
The Government of Canada has published its national AI strategy: “AI for All”, promising free AI literacy training for all citizens, up to 250,000 new jobs by 2031, an AI Missions Programme with $200 million for projects improving health outcomes, and $700 million for access to public compute for SMEs […]


