AXREM Response to the Autumn Budget 2026

04 November 2026

AXREM, the UK trade association representing the suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment technologies, welcomes the Government’s continued recognition of the importance of innovation, productivity and technology within healthcare.

The Autumn Budget includes several positive measures for the health and life sciences sectors, including additional NHS winter funding, investment to accelerate the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, support for AI-driven innovation and continued backing for the UK’s life sciences ecosystem. These announcements demonstrate an understanding that technology will play a critical role in improving productivity, reducing waiting lists and delivering better patient outcomes.

However, AXREM remains concerned that the Budget stops short of providing the significant, long-term capital investment required to address the scale of the NHS diagnostic and treatment backlog and modernise the UK’s ageing healthcare infrastructure.

Medical technology is not a cost to the healthcare system; it is a critical enabler of earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, greater efficiency and improved patient outcomes. Without sustained investment in diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, digital healthcare technologies and the facilities required to support them, it will become increasingly difficult for the NHS to meet growing demand and deliver the ambitions set out in the Government’s health transformation agenda.

While additional winter funding provides welcome short-term relief, the sector requires a longer-term commitment to capital investment that enables NHS organisations to replace ageing equipment, expand diagnostic capacity, embrace digital transformation and improve access to innovative technologies for patients across the UK.

The UK has a world-leading medical technology sector that contributes significantly to economic growth, innovation, exports and high-skilled employment. Creating the right investment environment for MedTech companies will not only support NHS transformation but also strengthen the UK’s position as a global destination for healthcare innovation.

AXREM looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Government, NHS England and wider stakeholders to ensure that medical technology remains at the heart of delivering a modern, sustainable and productive healthcare system for the future.

Sally Edgington, Chief Executive Officer of AXREM, said:

“The Budget contains welcome signs that Government recognises the role technology must play in improving NHS productivity and patient care. Investments in AI, robotics and innovation are positive steps forward. However, the absence of substantial new capital funding for diagnostic and treatment infrastructure remains a concern.

The NHS cannot transform services, reduce waiting lists or improve productivity without modern equipment, digital systems and the facilities needed to support them. MedTech is one of the most effective investments available to healthcare systems, delivering benefits for patients, clinicians and taxpayers alike. We would encourage Government to ensure that future spending decisions place capital investment in medical technology at the centre of NHS recovery, reform and long-term sustainability.”