Health Management and Policy Alert

How does the public feel about health technologies and data?

The Health Foundation - 

This analysis outlines the findings of The Health Foundation's public survey on attitudes towards health technologies and data – and what they suggest for engaging with the public.

• Data analysis 

An engagement paper on the effective use of artificial intelligence in NHS communications

AI in NHS Communications Taskforce - 

A taskforce was established in early 2024 to explore the potential use of AI in NHS communications and to guide communications professionals in how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by AI, while mitigating the risks. This engagement paper, published in partnership with the NHS Confederation, outlines proposals for implementing AI tools across all NHS communications channels. The document synthesises the insights gathered so far and poses targeted questions to NHS communications professionals. This engagement period will end on 28 February 2025. In the spring of 2025, a final operating framework will be published.

• Engagement paper
• Press release

The NMC register UK mid-year update: 1 April – 30 September 2024

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) - 

This mid-year report on the register of all nursing and midwifery professionals who can practise in the UK has reached a record 841,367. However, a pillar of recent growth – international recruitment – has slowed in pace. For the first time there are more than 200,000 internationally educated professionals on the register – 23.8 percent of the total available UK nursing and midwifery workforce.

• Report
• Press release

The Innovation Ecosystem Programme – how the UK can lead the way globally in health gains and life sciences powered growth

NHS England -
The Innovation Ecosystem Programme (IEP) was launched to identify how best to streamline the research, development and adoption of those innovations that have the potential to make the NHS a global leader. The guiding principles for the IEP are to create a framework for future innovation activity that will reorient the NHS to address current, emerging and future health care priorities. This report summarises IEP findings from the last 18 months and recommends a package of actions to move forward.

• Report
• NHS England - publications

In the blink of an AI: clearing the backlog in UK public services

Social Market Foundation -
This report outlines the benefits the civil service and public sector can reap by further integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation into its user-facing workstreams, as well as the time savings available to the public which use them. It looks across different types of public sector organisations, where AI was being adopted in public-facing services such as DVLA, GPs, and HMRC. It argues that AI could cut patient waiting times by almost three quarters (73%) overall and almost half (47%) during peak times – ending the notorious ‘8am rush’ for appointments.

• Report
• Social Market Foundation - press release

Trust and confidence in technology-enabled care: a joint analysis with Q

The Health Foundation -

In work from the Health Foundation and Health Data Research UK (HDRUK) to understand the factors that support the successful implementation and adoption of technology in health care, the Q Lab programme (which brings people together to tackle complex challenges and build scalable solutions) delved deeper into: what influences staff and service users to trust new technology; how trust and confidence influence motivations and attitudes; and how to build trust and confidence to support the adoption of new technologies. This long read draws together lessons from the work of the Q Lab teams.

• Long read

Uniting the UK’s health data: a huge opportunity for society

The Sudlow Review - 

Professor Cathie Sudlow was commissioned to lead this independent review by the Chief Medical Officer for England, NHS England’s National Director for Transformation, and the UK National Statistician. The review flags complexities and inefficiencies impeding the use of health data in the UK. It emphasises that health data should be seen as critical national infrastructure requiring careful leadership and vital investment. The review includes five recommendations that highlight the need to remove barriers, streamline processes, and enable safe and secure data use across the UK.

• Report
• Press release

Uniting the UK’s health data: a huge opportunity for society

The Sudlow Review - 

Professor Cathie Sudlow was commissioned to lead this independent review by the Chief Medical Officer for England, NHS England’s National Director for Transformation, and the UK National Statistician. The review flags complexities and inefficiencies impeding the use of health data in the UK. It emphasises that health data should be seen as critical national infrastructure requiring careful leadership and vital investment. The review includes five recommendations that highlight the need to remove barriers, streamline processes, and enable safe and secure data use across the UK.

• Report
• Press release

Data for people: principles and priorities for the collection, storage, sharing and use of data around care and support

Think Local Act Personal -
The government has made improving data in care a core part of its programme for reform. This report draws on the experiences of those who draw on care and support, as well as family and friend carers. It contains 15 key principles and 6 actions relating to the collection, storage, sharing, and use of data in care in England. It covers themes such as commitment to co-production, equity and inclusion, and trust and transparency.

• Report
• Think Local Act Personal - publications

A guide to business cases for digital projects

Healthcare Financial Management Association - 

As part of the NHS governance structure, a robust, well-evidenced business case demonstrates the potential of a new idea to deliver real value across the whole health and care system, giving a digital tech innovation the best chance of being adopted by the NHS. This briefing looks at the structure of a good business case for digital investment projects.

• Briefing
• Alternative format