After the announcement of the Autumn 2025 budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, leaders from the UK’s MedTech and life sciences sectors have responded to the government’s plans for healthcare investment and reform.
Mark Leftwich, Managing Director at Philips UKI, commented on the need for efficient use of resources: “With public finances tight, every pound invested in health must work harder, delivering visible improvements for patients and real value for taxpayers. Patients are still waiting too long, staff are exhausted, and outdated equipment is slowing progress on tackling NHS waiting lists.
“Modernising care is a shared responsibility, for government, the NHS and industry alike. Our Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust pilot at one of the Trust’s Community Diagnostic Centres shows the impact of extending MRI scanning into the evening with remote radiographer support – 1,356 additional patients were scanned and more radiographers were trained in less time.
“The focus now must be on scaling what works. Smarter use of data, digital tools and AI-enabled imaging can support staff and give patients quicker access to the answers they need.”
Guy Dickie, Head of Healthcare at Iron Mountain UK, highlighted digital transformation as a key priority: “As the government considers its next steps for NHS investment, prioritising digital transformation will be vital to building a more efficient health service. With the government announcing £300 million of funding for NHS technology to support NHS staff, this is a step in the right direction. However, to deliver on this ambition, a unified approach to digitisation across all NHS trusts is essential. Paper records continue to slow down decision-making and restrict collaboration, while digital solutions have the potential to speed up diagnoses, reduce waiting times for patients, and minimise the risk of lost or damaged records.
“The increased investment announced today needs to be part of continued investment in digital infrastructure, strong governance, and the upskilling of NHS staff. This will ensure new technologies are adopted effectively and securely to help cut down waiting lists. The integration of AI and robust data management will be key to realising these benefits, delivering better outcomes for patients and enabling smarter, more connected care.”
Ranjan Singh, CEO and co-founder of HealthHero stated: “Investment in technologies that deliver patient services, such as virtual health is critical to realise a modern, fit-for-purpose health service that meets patients’ needs and lets clinicians do what they do best: treat patients and reduce their admin load. Today’s budget commitment of £300m rightly acknowledges the need for a digital strategy in UK healthcare, and will go a long way to ensuring a seamless crossover between face-to-face and virtual consultations.
“The benefits of using AI to triage patients into secondary care are clear, and we’re already seeing the positive impact on the NHS and patient outcomes when it comes to AI reducing patient waiting times and clinician admin load. Today’s announcement should be a first step to help ensure we can continue to integrate technology into patient care pathways, reducing waiting times and freeing up more clinicians’ time.”
Dr Anas Nader—a practicing A&E doctor who also leads Patchwork Health—welcomed further tech investment but called attention to supporting all staff roles: “We’re at a true tipping point when it comes to NHS tech; we’ve made huge strides in recent years but the true value of innovation hasn’t yet been realised. The announcement in today’s Budget of an additional £300m of tech investment to improve patient services is most welcome and will help keep this vital momentum up. But it’s important also bang the drum for investment in tech which supports all NHS staff. Not just clinicians but also those working ‘behind-the-scenes’ – from rota coordinators to finance teams. These vital colleagues also need better tools and smarter systems. As we move towards a new year for the health service we must ensure innovation doesn’t get siloed but instead improves lives everyone working in—and benefitting from—the NHS.”
Sarah Woolnough from The King’s Fund pointed out both strengths in funding protection as well as ongoing risks: “The generous settlement the NHS received at Spending Review earlier in year…will help [it] just about keep its head above water as it battles…financial challenges…rising demand…fragile social care…industrial action…major workforce payouts…and potential drug price increases mean health & care leaders still face daunting task.
“The scrapping two-child benefit cap & investment Neighbourhood Health Centres bold steps toward improving public's health & reducing pressure on [the] NHS long-term...However…the government still lacks clear plan how it will deliver its reforms or stabilise social care…”
Woolnough added that lifting child benefit caps could significantly address poverty-related inequalities impacting public health outcomes by taking hundreds of thousands children out poverty—a driver behind chronic conditions that increase strain on NHS budgets. She noted some policies like increased gambling duty would contribute further but argued tighter restrictions on junk food advertising could have gone further.
On financial pressures she said: “This Budget lands against bleak economic backdrop yet health spending appears relatively protected…” She warned limited resources may force trade-offs elsewhere even as performance targets remain politically important; costs related restructuring—including redundancy payments—remain uncertain despite new agreements allowing early spending draws from Treasury allocations.
Regarding neighbourhood centres Woolnough welcomed capital investments but urged caution over large-scale public-private partnerships due previous issues with schemes like PFIs (private finance initiatives). She stressed success depends not only buildings but expanding diagnostic capacity alongside improved digital infrastructure—and better coordination with social care—which was absent from chancellor's remarks.
Kehan Zhou (Camascope) expressed disappointment about lack focus adult social care noting recent reports show providers under increasing pressure; he argued digitising medication records could protect patients & save clinician time—but called incentives needed unlock broader opportunity sector offers economy.
Nick Lansman (Health Tech Alliance) welcomed commitments growing life sciences sector including pension reforms attracting £200 million initial private investments into science/technology companies across UK; he emphasized procurement/data systems must keep pace so innovations scale quickly beyond pilots toward regular use nationwide—stating Office Budget Responsibility's shift viewing healthcare spend as economic growth lever should extend fully into medtech field too.
Lansman concluded: “If Government investors & [health system] work together today's announcements can help UK health tech firms scale home compete globally…and most importantly get game-changing technologies patients faster…the Health Tech Alliance stands ready work ministers…the NHS…and industry partners turn this kickstart momentum real-world impact…”
