A world leading Horizon Scanning Facility

The NIHR Innovation Observatory identifies emerging innovations across the global healthcare landscape and transforms them into trusted intelligence that helps organisations anticipate change, make informed decisions and prepare for the future.

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What we do

What is Horizon Scanning?

Horizon scanning is a method that systematically searches for and analyses signs of important developments to help us plan for the future.
In healthcare, these developments can include new medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health tools and other types of interventions.
The intelligence and insights provided by horizon scanning allow decision makers to anticipate changes in healthcare so that they can respond to challenges and opportunities.

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Resources

Our Latest Resources

Reports

Horizon scan of diagnostic technologies for urinary tract infections and antimicrobial resistance

June 2026

Reports

Part I: Horizon scan for diagnostic technologies for sepsis and antimicrobial resistance

Feburary 2026

Reports

Horizon scan for new and innovative diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance in surgical site infections

November 2025

Reports

Prognosis, Deterioration Monitoring, and Predisposing Factors for Sepsis: A Rapid Scan

December 2025

Reports

Medicines Horizon Scanning Annual Report 2025

October 2025

Journal Articles

Identifying new and emerging device, diagnostic and digital technologies for paediatric neurological trauma

September 2026

Journal Articles

Patient, Public, and Community Involvement and Engagement in Horizon Scanning: A Scoping Review (one page infographic)

August 2026

Journal Articles

Patient, Public, and Community Involvement and Engagement in Horizon Scanning: A Scoping Review (Executive Summary)

August 2026

Engage

Working together to shape the future of health and care.

We work with people, organisations and communities across the health and care ecosystem to ensure our work is informed by diverse perspectives, responds to real-world needs and supports better decision-making.