The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has welcomed the UK government's response to the National Commission into the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare.
The National Commission, an independent expert advisory body established by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has published its report, Recommendations for a future regulatory framework, which sets out a vision for a framework that is safe, fast and trusted: protecting patients, enabling responsible innovation and building confidence in how AI is regulated and used. The UK government has published its response, committing to take forward all 44 recommendations. Work is already under way across government, the MHRA, NHS partners and the devolved nations on nine priority areas. A new UK-wide programme board will oversee delivery, with a full implementation roadmap due in spring 2027.
The RCP contributed to the Commission's work and particularly supports the recommendations relating to health professionals. These include better evidence and information, clearer responsibilities, appropriate training and practical support to help clinicians use AI confidently while keeping professional judgement and patient care at the centre of decision making.
Dr Anne Kinderlerer, RCP clinical digital health lead, said:
‘The RCP welcomes the government's response to the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare and its commitment to take forward the recommendations in full. We were pleased to contribute to this work. We particularly support the focus on health professionals. Better evidence and information, clearer responsibilities, appropriate training and practical support will help clinicians use AI confidently while ensuring professional judgement and patient care remain central.
‘AI has significant potential to improve patient care, make care safer, reduce administrative burden and improve clinicians’ working lives. It is crucial that AI is implemented in ways that support rather than replace professional judgement.
‘We need to continue building learning into health systems so that we improve our understanding of emerging benefits and risks over time, supporting proportionate regulation throughout the lifecycle of these technologies. Safe deployment is a shared responsibility across the health and care system, and organisations will need support to implement AI safely so that clinicians can trust these tools.
‘Failures could undermine confidence among both clinicians and the public, risking more restrictive intervention later. We will achieve the benefits AI offers by working openly, being realistic about its potential, and sharing learning and best practice across the health system.
‘We look forward to working with government, regulators, the NHS and partners across the health system to help implement these recommendations.’