Wearables in UK Healthcare: Key Insights From Our Event
How the UK can lead the next generation of healthtech through trust, prevention and connected data.
Earlier this week, we brought together 100 policy makers, investors, innovators and consumers for a dedicated panel discussion on one of the most important shifts in UK health: the rise of wearables and continuous data in everyday care.
The energy in the room made one thing clear — the UK is ready for a new era of consumer-led health insight, and the ecosystem is aligning to deliver it.
Three key themes stood out
1. Trust will determine who wins
Consumers increasingly choose brands they believe in, and the research shared during the session underscored that the UK has a strong health reputation both domestically and globally. This creates a unique opportunity: consumer healthtech isn’t just a commercial market, it is a responsibility to uphold and strengthen the trust people place in UK health.
2. Prevention and self-management are moving to the centre of strategy
The UK’s Ten-Year Plan explicitly backs wearable technologies as a lever for reducing disease burden and empowering people to manage their own health. The policy direction is clear. Now it is up to industry to build products that are scientifically rigorous, user-friendly and capable of delivering on the preventative vision.
3. Consumers expect their data to “join up”
Another strong message: people want their wearable data to integrate seamlessly into the rest of their digital lives. The NHS App integration policy was widely welcomed as a step toward reducing silos and supporting more holistic care. As interoperability improves, expectations will only rise.
A room aligned on ambition
It was encouraging to see senior leaders across healthtech, investment and policy commit to transparency, communication and collaboration — all essential ingredients for a thriving UK healthtech sector.
We’re grateful to Tharni Vasavan (NICE), Emily Brunner (Department of Health and Social Care), Vinous Ali (Startup Coalition) and Alan Furley (ISL Talent) for their insights, and to the wider community of innovators who contributed openly.
Thank you also to Pembroke VCT, Pact and the British Design Fund for joining the roundtable earlier in the day, and to the London AI Hub for supporting the event.
Building a stronger, healthier future
The message across the day was consistent: the UK has the ingredients to lead the global future of wearables, but leadership will depend on bold innovation, consumer trust and meaningful integration into the healthcare system.
We look forward to deepening collaboration as we work to realise that future — one where continuous data empowers individuals, supports prevention and strengthens the health of the nation.
Get Set. Stay Ready.