A new white paper, led by the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) at Imperial College London, identifies how implementation of these technologies at scale will reshape the NHS and pave the way to a future of better healthcare.
The paper is the output of the Future State Programme, commissioned by Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which envisions what healthcare could look like in 2035.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We've inherited an NHS on its knees – underfunded, overstretched and crying out for reform. Our 10 Year Health Plan is about fixing what's broken and building a modern, responsive NHS that’s fit for the future.
“That means harnessing the very best of innovation – bringing cutting-edge technology into hospitals, homes, and communities to deliver faster, smarter, and more personalised care.
“From wearable devices that help people stay healthy, to AI-driven diagnostics and personalised treatments tailored to each patient – this is the future of healthcare. And I want the NHS leading it, not lagging behind.”
Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Co-Director of IGHI and the Paul Hamlyn Chair of Surgery, said: “I was shocked by what I discovered about the state of the NHS in my Investigation last year. Part of the solution to those problems is to embrace innovative technology. The seven technologies, identified after wide-ranging research and discussion with experts, offer an opportunity to leap forward in improving the nation's health. And they will have the biggest impact when implemented in parallel.”
Healthcare transformation
In ten years, these technologies will transform healthcare: connected Data, the NHS App, GLP-1 obesity medications, wearable technologies for remote monitoring, genomics and personalised medicine, AI and robotics for precision care. This radical innovation will address some of the challenges currently facing the NHS, and described in Lord Darzi’s report on the state of the NHS in England.
The report details the ‘Seven Pillars of Healthcare Transformation’:
- Data to Deliver Impact: The Foundation of Innovation
- The Digital Front Door: NHS App 2.0 Becomes England’s Most Essential Tool
- The Obesity Breakthrough: GLP-1s Transform Lives Through Innovation
- The Wearable Revolution: When Your Watch Becomes Your Doctor
- The Genetic Gateway: Universal Genomic Screening Unlocks Personalised Medicine
- AI to Drive Patient Power and Productivity: The Invisible Assistant Liberates Healthcare Workers
- Robotics to Support Precision: The Physical Transformation of Healthcare
The potential impact of these seven opportunities could include stopping diabetes and heart disease before they occur. It could reduce pressure on face-to-face appointments and allow people to be in control of their own care.
Technology can make healthcare more human, not less, as it frees up clinician time for patient interaction, gives patients control over their own care and moves away from one-size-fits all solutions. The technologies exist already, and their interconnected nature would reinforce the benefits they will bring.
The UK’s world-class life sciences industry and the research of institutions such as Imperial College London means the English NHS is well placed to adopt these technologies.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Conducting science for the benefit of humanity is at the heart of Imperial’s mission, and this new white paper illustrates how emerging technologies can transform healthcare across the NHS. We are at a pivotal moment – where the convergence of artificial intelligence, genomics, and digital innovation is redefining what’s possible in patient care. The UK can lead this healthcare revolution, and Imperial is proud to play a key part in driving the research, innovation, and partnerships that will shape a healthier future for all.”
Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Artificial intelligence, genomics and digital technology are already starting to reshape NHS care – offering us a glimpse of a future with faster, smarter, and more personalised healthcare to help us all live healthier and happier lives.
“To fully grasp this opportunity for NHS patients and staff, we need more than technology. We need strong leadership and a shared commitment to ensuring these innovations are fair for everyone – helping to reduce inequalities, not exacerbate them. Our digital systems must also be secure, robust and ready to handle new tools, with a workforce trained for this exciting new era of healthcare.”
The report states that to see through the changes outlined, bold leadership and modernised infrastructure will be key to support implementation across four themes: health promotion, diagnosis, treatment and innovations in healthcare delivery. Reports produced by partner organisations on each of those themes are published today alongside the report.
Lord Darzi said: “We need bold solutions to the challenges the NHS faces, not just to tinker at the margins. Transformative tech enables us to reimagine healthcare from the ground up, so that it is proactive, personalised and preventative. I hope the NHS 10 Year Plan will seize the opportunities set out here.”
The Future State Programme represents the most comprehensive examination of healthcare technology potential ever undertaken for the NHS. The methodology combined literature review, expert interviews, international case studies, and economic modelling to identify the most promising opportunities for healthcare transformation by 2035. The authors consulted with clinicians, researchers, technology companies and policy experts to ensure that the recommendations reflect both technological possibilities and practical implementation realities.
The Future State Programme was organised in four themes to provide a compelling view of the future of care. Four Theme Reports are published alongside this paper.
This article was first published on 27 June by Imperial College London.
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.