The National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare has published a future regulatory framework of AI in healthcare, which sets out recommendations to support the safe, effective and equitable use of AI-enabled medical technologies across the UK health system. 

Its recommendations focus on 3 key areas: 

• proportionate lifecycle regulation 
• system-wide responsibility for safe implementation 
• strengthening trust, transparency and public confidence. 

For pathology services, these principles are particularly important as AI tools become increasingly integrated into diagnostics and laboratory medicine.  

The blueprint also underlines that effective AI adoption cannot rely on regulation alone. Healthcare organisations, regulators, manufacturers and healthcare professionals all have a role in ensuring safe implementation. Recommendations on workforce capability, AI literacy, governance and organisational readiness reflect issues that RCPath has consistently identified as critical to the successful deployment of AI in pathology. 

RCPath supports the report’s recognition that innovation and patient safety must go hand in hand. As AI continues to develop, we look forward to working with regulators, policymakers and clinical partners to help shape a regulatory framework that enables innovation, supports the pathology workforce and delivers benefits for patients across the UK. 

Read the College response to the MHRA consultation on the regulation of AI in healthcare made in February 2026.  

The Commission’s recommendations aim to provide a foundation for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), government and wider system partners.  

A cross-government response will follow separately, setting out how government and system partners will consider and take forward the recommendations.