2026 predictions: Digital Health Networks’ leaders look ahead

We asked the Digital Health Networks advisory panels and councils for their predictions for what’s in store for health innovation, technology and digital leadership in 2026.

Here are their predictions for the new year:

Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) Advisory Panel

Dr Penny Kechagioglou, chair of the CCIO Advisory Panel and CCIO at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

“In 2026, NHS organisations will continue to focus on improving productivity in order to reduce waiting lists for elective surgery and cancer.

“Generative AI will dominate the data analytics space, with increasing use of the federated data platform in order to understand system own data and be strategic as a whole system when making operational decisions.

“Intelligent triaging using AI for urgent and emergency care, will see more patients be triaged quicker and more effectively.

“Community and social care data will continue to merge with acute data and the citizen adoption of the NHS App will increase. The latter may bring local challenges which healthcare leaders need to navigate such as sensitive data sharing and accurate appointment scheduling.

“Ambient voice technology (AVT) will become widespread in the NHS, integrating with electronic patient record (EPRs) and a regulatory framework will be established to govern their use.

“During this time of rapid growth in AI and automation, it is important that cyber security approaches are tightened, and AI may be used to help predict and prevent significant attacks.

“Healthcare leadership will need to adapt to the new digital reality, with traditional digital clinical and operational roles having an increasing advisory status in hospital and system boards.

“Utilising internal expertise acquired from the so far widespread EPR and digital implementation programs, will reduce unnecessary costs which can be re-invested into the NHS.”

Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) Council

Ben Jeeves, chair of the CSO Council and CSO at T-Pro

“I think there has been significant momentum built throughout 2025, and we are now entering a phase where innovation, adoption, and clinical impact will only continue to accelerate.

“I believe 2026 will redefine what is possible, not just in terms of technology, but in how digital reshapes care models, improves safety, and strengthens the resilience of the entire health system. This will be a year of bold ambition and meaningful progress.

“2025 was shaped very much around AVT and I think it will remain a pivotal part of that evolution, and because of its direct impact on the quality, safety, and experience of care, I expect 2026 to bring a far stronger voice from service users.

“We will see patients and clinicians alike shaping the direction of digital health more actively than ever before.”

Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) Advisory Panel

Hayley Grafton, chair of the CNIO Advisory Panel and CNIO at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

“The year will mark a tipping point as AI-enabled documentation, virtual pathways, and operational automation become mainstream, not as shiny pilots but as safe, governed, everyday tools that improve care.

“The CNIO Advisory Panel will continue to champion this shift, ensuring the profession has the skills, confidence, and influence to lead the next decade of transformation.

“As we embrace these technologies, we remain committed to clinically led digital change and continually optimising and provisioning the fundamentals.”

Integrated Care System (ICS) Digital Council

John Mitchell, chair of the ICS Digital Council and associate director of digital at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB 

“Our community is wonderful and full of highly qualified, experienced senior leaders, who will be put in an impossible position in terms of mixed strategies, funding, and resourcing.

“But through strong leadership, determination and community magic, it will strengthen and resolve and continue to delivery beyond expectations.”

Chief Information Officer (CIO) Advisory Panel

Amy Freeman, chair of the CIO Advisory Panel and chief digital information officer (CDIO) at University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

“I think 2026 will be a lot of settling down into new structures. Harder financial conditions will hit digital services and there will be an increase in group model arrangements to consolidate corporate teams including digital.

“Mixed reactions to AVT from clinical staff could make adoption a challenge and there will be an increasing gulf between the digital haves and have nots (trusts).

“The continuation of the analogue to digital narrative is not aligned to what is actually going on at front line with budget cuts. Continued change in the centre but hopeful that Jules [Julian Hunt, interim director general for technology, digital and data at the Department of Health and Social Care] will bring some order.”

James Hawkins, vice chair of the CIO Advisory Panel and chief digital and information officer at York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust

“Despite sustained policy focus, 2026 may still see the single patient record fragmented across pilots, constrained by governance, interoperability and delivery reality.”

Lee Rickles, CIO and director at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

“I expect high expectations with the delivery capability not arriving until the end of 2026.

“The current organisational disruption, national oversight framework and funding challenges will mean organisations will focus inwardly and digital will have to fight for its place in 2026.”

Kath Kaboutian, deputy CDIO at Bristol NHS Group

“The challenges digital leaders/ CIOs will face in 2026 will be to lead digital change that delivers measurable productivity and efficiency in financially constrained environments, often without additional investment.

“This is while responsibly managing ageing infrastructure, strengthening cyber resilience, enabling high quality data to inform clinical and operational decision-making, and balancing the rapid emergence of AI-enabled technologies with ethical, clinical and safety assurances needed to maintain trust and deliver safe, reliable care.”