HealthTech and MedTech are entering 2026 at a point of quiet but profound transition. The defining question is no longer “does the technology work?” but “can it be adopted, funded and sustained inside real health systems?” After years of pilots, proofs of concept and ambitious promises, the sector is being reshaped by economic pressure, workforce constraints, regulatory scrutiny and a sharper political focus on productivity and outcomes.

Reflecting innovation policy trends across the UK, the focus is shifting from invention to diffusion. In the healthcare space, commissioners and providers are demanding solutions that fit existing pathways, staffing realities and governance frameworks. Artificial intelligence is moving out of experimentation and into controlled deployment, digital inclusion is becoming a prerequisite for acceptance rather than a design afterthought, and automation is increasingly targeted at operational pressure points rather than headline clinical breakthroughs.

At the same time, place-based innovation agendas are creating new opportunities for real-world testing and organisational change is introducing unavoidable friction. Together, these forces mean that success in 2026 will depend less on novelty, and more on execution: evidence, implementation, trust and alignment with the system as it actually operates.

Five trends to watch:

  1. “Evidence-to-adoption” pathways become the product: The focus for most public healthcare systems in 2026 is on identifying tech that fits existing commissioning, pathways and constraints – in other words, is there an underlying logic to its adoption? Firms that package implementation, training, safety and evaluation will be well placed to scale faster. However, these services can be more difficult to fund and price, and margins may be tighter than on product-led offerings.
  2. AI in health shifts from pilots to controlled deployment: The narrative from DSIT places high expectations that AI will deliver productivity and service improvement across the health service, but healthcare demands higher assurance than many other industries adopting emerging tech. There is a rising appetite for AI’s use in triage, admin automation, imaging support, and pathway optimisation, but governance, data quality, and liability concerns will likely result in slow procurement cycles.
  3. Digital inclusion is critical, not a “nice to have”: Across the country, ONS data highlights digital skills gaps and patient populations without internet access. Any HealthTech product designed for patient interaction will likely face a real adoption ceiling unless it is designed for multi-channel access. While this approach may increase operational costs in the short term, it guarantees fewer complaints and dropouts, and can deliver much better outcomes, helping to build trust.
  4. Workforce pressure drives back office automation: With a cooling and constrained labour market, and high strain on public services, the most scalable wins are often operational (scheduling, workflow, document handling) rather than new clinical frontiers. With the NHS remaining a top concern for the electorate, there is political pressure to reduce waiting lists and make time for more patients. While some healthcare staff may be understandably wary of automation, when it works the benefits and RoI are more easily demonstrated.
  5. Sussex becomes more attractive for real-world testing: The upcoming devolution and local government transition period may create both opportunities and challenges for HealthTech. By aligning with place-based innovation priorities and resilience goals as they emerge, companies can position themselves for success. However, decision-making delays are to be expected, and procurement timetables may be conservative for the time being.

If you’re an innovator solving healthcare challenges through technology in 2026, we’d love to hear from you. Over the next few months we’ll be running Frontier Tech events to share groundbreaking innovations with local businesses, as well as the Scale-Up Brighton & Hove programme for high-growth companies.

Get in touch to find out more about how Sussex Innovation can support you on your journey, or click here to read our overview of the political and economic landscape impacting Sussex businesses.