Committee recommends L-plates and ongoing testing for AI tools in healthcare

A new report by the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare has set out recommendations to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) across the NHS, balancing patient safety with rapid technological innovation.

The Commission concluded that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should implement a staged authorisation framework, likened to learner plates, where new AI models operate under rigorous supervision and guardrails before securing full approval. It also called for moving beyond single point-in-time clearances, advocating continuous, real-world monitoring throughout the operational lifespan of AI-enabled medical devices to track systems as they learn and adapt.

To ensure public transparency, the report recommends creating an accessible database for citizens to review device safety profiles and adverse incidents, alongside establishing proportionate measures to notify patients when AI is deployed in their care. The Commission further recommends granting MHRA enhanced statutory enforcement powers to intervene decisively against non-compliant technologies. The government is evaluating the proposals ahead of a formal response.

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