The online pharmacy called My Local Surgery has identified five key trends expected to shape health tech in 2026 and beyond.
The healthcare service provider expects that AI-driven diagnostics, virtual care and personalised treatment are expected to converge into fully integrated healthcare ecosystems.
The following innovations are set to enhance clinical decision-making, streamline operations, and improve patient access across healthcare settings.
AI as a clinical partner
According to online pharmacy My Local Surgery, artificial intelligence is set to become a core element of healthcare, complementing rather than replacing clinicians.
AI is expected to support diagnostics, risk assessment, and treatment planning, allowing healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to patient-facing care.
Administrative tasks, including scheduling, triage, and record management, are also likely to benefit from AI-driven automation, helping providers operate more efficiently across different healthcare settings.
Virtual and hybrid care
My Local Surgery anticipates that remote consultations, home monitoring, and virtual follow-ups will become standard practice by 2026.
These approaches aim to improve access for patients with chronic conditions, mobility challenges, or those living in underserved areas, while easing pressure on hospitals and clinics.
By enabling continuous and flexible care, virtual and hybrid models are expected to place patients at the centre of their treatment journeys.
Personalisation and early detection
The integration of AI with genomics, wearable sensors, and drug discovery platforms may drive more personalised therapies and earlier disease detection, the pharmacy predicts.
Secure data sharing and interoperability will be critical, enabling global collaboration between clinicians and researchers while maintaining patient privacy.
Operational efficiency through technology
Digital tools are also expected to streamline healthcare operations.
My Local Surgery notes that optimising electronic health records, predictive maintenance for medical equipment, and other technology-driven solutions could reduce administrative burdens and allow staff to focus on direct patient care.
Ethics and equity
As healthtech advances, My Local Surgery emphasises that ethical deployment and equitable access will be essential.
Transparency, inclusivity, and safety are expected to underpin public trust and ensure innovations deliver meaningful benefits for all patients.
By 2026, My Local Surgery predicts that health tech will function as a fully integrated ecosystem, enabling predictive, preventative, and personalised care.
These developments are expected to enhance clinical capabilities while making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and globally connected.