Developments in genetics, regenerative medicine, web technology, surgery and telehealth will challenge the NHS, according to an NHS Confederation report out this week.

It sets out the "disruptive innovations" that the NHS should be prepared to cope with in advance of a debate at its annual conference.

The report, Disruptive Innovation: what does it mean for the NHS?, urges the health service to "plan now to embrace the challenges of care in the information age".

Personal health records, now being pioneered in the NHS, and web 2.0 sites where people share information, are set to revolutionise doctor-patient relationships, it says. Innovations also have the power to improve or hold back care.

Confederation policy director Nigel Edwards said: "It is important to start with what people and patients want from services rather than what technology can do. NHS leaders are going to need to develop more personalised services providing care, support and knowledge, while maintaining the high-quality personal interactions between clinicians and patients."

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