Test tomorrow’s choices today
Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than traditional NHS planning cycles. The decisions health leaders make over the next two to three years – what to adopt, what to scale and how to prepare the workforce – could shape care for the next decade.
AI in Healthcare Simulation gives health systems a safe, structured way to explore those decisions before they carry real-world costs. Participants make choices within a modelled version of their own system, see the consequences unfold and adapt their approach.
Seven host systems were selected in September 2026 for sessions in autumn 2026, with further sessions to follow in the New Year. We are now running a dedicated round for the NHS England Midlands region.
The programme is a fully funded, one-day simulation for integrated care boards and provider groups across the East and West Midlands. We will bring the simulation to your organisation, giving 40 to 50 leaders and operational colleagues the opportunity to test how their system might respond to the strategic and practical choices created by AI. Sites are asked to provide their own venue and catering for the day.
During the facilitated session, participants will make decisions within a realistic model of their own health system – exploring what AI to adopt, what to scale and how to prepare the workforce.
Expressions of interest are now open to organisations in the Midlands that would like to host one of up to two funded simulations. Selected hosts will also receive a written insight report and contribute to a national picture of NHS readiness for AI.
Information webinar: Monday 19 October 2026, 12pm–1pm. Register here.
EOI deadline: Friday 20 November 2026 at 5pm. The online form is here.
Information pack about the AI in Healthcare Simulation Programme: Midlands – download here.
What is AI in Healthcare Simulation?
This is not a training course. It is a structured rehearsal of the strategic and operational decisions your system may soon face.
During the simulation, participants work together to explore questions such as:
- Which AI technologies should we adopt, and where?
- What should we scale, pause or stop?
- How might different decisions affect services, staff and patients?
- Where do incentives, priorities or assumptions conflict?
- How should we prepare our workforce and system for change?
By testing these choices in a realistic but risk-free environment, systems can identify opportunities, tensions and gaps before committing resources or implementing change.
What does hosting involve?
The programme team brings the simulation to you. Each face-to-face session runs from 9:30am to 4:00pm on a date agreed with the host in February or March 2027.
There is no cost to your organisation beyond:
- Staff time
- A suitable venue
- Catering for participants
Hosts will need to bring together 40 to 50 people from across their system. Participants should include senior leaders alongside operational colleagues, whose insight is essential because they are often the first to experience the practical effects of system-level decisions.
What will your system gain?
A fully funded simulation, designed and delivered for you
The programme provides the scenario design, materials, facilitation and a dedicated observer for every participant group.
A written insight report
You will receive a report setting out the decisions your groups made, where their views aligned and where they diverged, providing valuable insight for your board or committees.
A place in the national picture
Your findings will contribute to a national synthesis and will be compared with insights from other participating systems.
A clearer view of competing incentives
The simulation surfaces tensions between priorities, incentives and perspectives at a point when exploring them carries no real-world cost.
New cross-system connections
The day brings together colleagues who may not usually work closely with one another. Every respondent to the pilot survey reported making at least one new professional connection.
Who can apply?
We welcome expressions of interest from organisations in the NHS England Midlands region, including:
- The NHS England Midlands region
- Integrated care boards
- Provider groups, including provider collaboratives, federations, at-scale organisations and imaging networks
We would welcome applications from both the East and the West Midlands. We are looking for committed hosts that can bring together colleagues from across their system and contribute openly to the programme’s learning.
Up to two simulations will be delivered in the Midlands in February and March 2027, as part of the programme’s New Year sessions and alongside the evaluation and national synthesis.
Join our information webinar
Our information webinar will explain:
- What the simulation involves
- What is expected of host organisations
- Who should take part
- How expressions of interest will be assessed
- What selected systems can expect before, during and after the session
The webinar will take place on Monday 19 October 2026, from 12pm to 1pm.
Attendance is strongly encouraged, but you do not need to attend the webinar to apply.
Register for the information webinar here.
Apply to host a simulation
The expression of interest form takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please submit one response per organisation.
Applications close automatically at 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026.
Applicants will be notified on Friday 4 December 2026. Selected hosts will then work with the CLEAR team to agree a delivery date. Applicants who are not selected will be kept informed of future opportunities. The online form is here.
About the programme
AI in Healthcare Simulation is commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. It is hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and The National CLEAR Programme, in partnership with The King’s Fund and Intelligence Rising, and independently evaluated by Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex.
The learning from each participating system will contribute to a national synthesis, helping the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England understand system readiness and identify the strengths and gaps that could influence how the NHS benefits from AI.
Questions?
Please contact the CLEAR team at info@33n.co.uk.
