Unlocking international opportunities for UK health innovators in tele-rehabilitation

The latest TeleRehaB Decision Support System (DSS) Market Access Report provides a strategic overview of the telerehabilitation market across five key European countries, examining opportunities for UK-based innovators working in digital rehabilitation. The Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London) has coordinated a series of focus groups to shape the development of the project and, most recently, produced a market access report.

Nearly 394 million people across the WHO European region could benefit from rehabilitation services. This demand continues to grow as populations age, and more people live with chronic conditions. The HIN partnered with the TeleRehaB DSS research programme to explore how artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies can help meet rehabilitation needs, both in the UK and abroad. This blog highlights international expansion opportunities for UK innovators, drawing on insights from our new market access report and accompanying country profiles.

Many of the challenges we face in the UK are shared across Europe. This includes: ageing populations, a rising demand for rehabilitation services, and workforce pressures. By 2050, more than 30% of the population in many EU countries will be aged 65 or older, creating significant demand for rehabilitation and long-term care services. This means that rehabilitation innovations developed in the UK often have strong potential to succeed abroad. International expansion is an opportunity to contribute to better health outcomes across Europe by making rehabilitation services that are accessible to all.

The following clinical areas driving demand across Europe stand out in the report:

These areas represent not only clinical need but also strong demand for scalable, digital-first solutions.

Demonstrating that a solution can reduce costs or improve patient outcomes in the UK provides a foundation for conversations abroad. Building credibility early supports this. Health systems across Europe are cautious adopters, and evidence of effectiveness (both clinical and economic) remains the strongest currency. However, innovators should also be prepared to adapt their approach to local contexts. What convinces decision‑makers in Germany may differ from what resonates in Italy or the Netherlands, and understanding these nuances is key to successful expansion.

International markets are complex, and innovators rarely succeed alone in unfamiliar markets, therefore highlighting the importance of partnerships. Collaborating with universities, rehabilitation centres, or local distributors can accelerate adoption and provide valuable insights into cultural and clinical differences. These relationships are beneficial for practicalities such as navigating regulatory and procurement systems. However, they also create opportunities for co‑production, ensuring that solutions are tailored to the needs of each market. The report identifies key markets where partnerships with academic and clinical organisations can support UK innovators to expand internationally.

UK innovators are well-placed to lead in the digital rehabilitation space. With strong expertise in digital health and rehabilitation, and growing demand across Europe, now is the time to explore opportunities beyond our borders.