Current position

The BIHS wearables programme has moved from scoping into structured delivery. The three workstreams are now developing outputs, and the emerging framework reflects a clear consensus: wearable blood pressure technologies need a staged, use-case-specific route to evaluation and adoption, not a single universal standard or a binary pass/fail model.

The programme is currently focused on three connected areas:

Workstream 1: Evaluation framework and clinical use
Developing a proportionate UK evaluation pathway based on a Red/Amber/Green rating system. Devices are assessed against existing validation evidence for defined use cases. Red indicates insufficient evidence for clinical use. Amber indicates approval with restrictions and a requirement for ongoing data collection. Green indicates sufficient evidence for supported clinical use in a defined context. Where existing evidence is inadequate, a de-novo first-stage evaluation can be initiated through a platform trial approach at selected NHS sites.

Workstream 2: Data integration and clinical workflow
Defining a national data integration architecture that links cuffless BP data with conventional measurements, electronic health records and clinical outcomes in a secure data environment. The focus is on how data are standardised, summarised and routed so that clinicians receive a clear, coded and actionable output - not raw wearable data. This infrastructure will also support equitable access monitoring and long-term innovation.

Workstream 3: Research and implementation pilots
Designing a practical early pilot to assess diagnostic agreement against ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, with operational learning on usability, workflow and service fit. The platform trial model - with a single lead site for centralised data collection - will allow multiple devices to be evaluated sequentially under a shared ethical and regulatory approval.