Game changing technologies: Horizon Scan of Wearable Devices for Patient Remote Monitoring of Vital Signs in Health Care

Wearable devices enable remote monitoring of key health indicators, supporting chronic disease management, rehabilitation, and vital sign tracking. This report focuses on wearables with real-time monitoring capabilities, which may improve early detection, diagnosis, clinical decisions, and reduce healthcare burden. Recent endorsements by NICE and inclusion in the UK’s 10-year Health Plan highlight their transformative potential. However, challenges remain around accessibility, development, and regulation. This horizon scan provides an overview of current innovations and gaps in wearable healthcare technologies across the emerging (innovation and preclinical), transitional (clinical trials), and imminent horizons (on the market). The scope of this report covers global developments with focus on the UK and on applications for remote monitoring of vital signs.