AI, data privacy and UK health

https://www.healthcare-management.uk/ai-privacy-uk-health

Publish Date: 2026-01-26 05:03:00

Source Domain: www.healthcare-management.uk

AI, data privacy and UK health

Multiple regulators currently shape AI expectations, but whether the UK adopts a standalone law remains uncertain, although continued regulatory focus is assured, writes Gowling WLG’s leader of health & care sector (UK) Robert Breedon and co-lead of data protection and cyber security Loretta Pugh

The UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy commits to AI growth zones designed to attract investment in AI infrastructure and capability. In parallel, the MHRA has created the UK National Commission on the regulation of AI in healthcare to design a fit‑for‑purpose framework, with the ambition of making the UK a truly AI‑enabled healthcare system.

Accelerating use of AI

Wearables are now mainstream, giving people continuous readouts, steps, heart rate, calories and other indicators, nudging behaviour through tracking and gamification.

Real‑world benefits are already visible. Data collection and analysis can transform management of long‑term conditions. Yet digital maturity is uneven.

Principal risks

Large, sensitive datasets demand careful governance. The core questions are straightforward – how data is collected, who controls it, whether consent is required, how processing is conducted lawfully and responsibly, and which safeguards protect privacy. These highlight three common areas of risk:

Data protection and security breaches – health information is an attractive target. Data breaches undermine trust, stall innovation and trigger legal and reputational consequences
Algorithmic bias – training AI systems on incomplete or skewed datasets can worsen inequalities, leading to missed diagnoses or inaccurate…

Source