All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Assistive and Accessible Technology

Representing the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer and IPEM, Mark Knight recently attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Assistive and Accessible Technology roundtable on Intelligent Assistive Robotics in Parliament.

The event brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, industry leaders and people with lived experience to explore how intelligent assistive robotics can move from promising innovation into routine health and social care delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer (OCSO), Mark highlighted the critical role that healthcare science professionals, particularly Clinical Engineers, play in enabling the safe, effective and sustainable adoption of robotics across health and care systems. Clinical Engineers already support the deployment and management of advanced technologies across hospitals, community services and patients' homes, providing expertise in safety, governance, interoperability, cybersecurity and technology lifecycle management.

The discussion reinforced the need for a coordinated national approach to support wider adoption. In addition to technological innovation, there is a requirement for robust frameworks for procurement, commissioning, funding, regulation and workforce development. The OCSO has a vital role in ensuring that the scientific, technical and professional infrastructure is in place to support the safe introduction of emerging technologies across the NHS.

A key theme was that future assistive robots must not operate in isolation. To deliver personalised, safe and effective care, robotic technologies need to be fully integrated with wider digital ecosystems, clinical records and care pathways, enabling them not only to support patients but also to provide meaningful information back to healthcare teams.

The technology is advancing rapidly. Realising its full potential will require coordinated action across policy, research, healthcare and industry, supported by strong national leadership and the scientific, technical and clinical expertise necessary to establish the standards, governance, workforce capability and infrastructure required for widespread adoption.

Thank you to the APPG for Assistive and Accessible Technology, Policy Connect, the University of Nottingham and all participants for facilitating an important discussion on the future of assistive robotics in health and social care.