Health Management and Policy Alert

National health servers: delivering digital health for all

Social Market Foundation (SMF) - 
This research considers how technology could be adopted quicker and more widely by the NHS to improve the care that patients receive and to drive better health outcomes. The report tracks the patient journey, from prevention and diagnosis in the community, into primary and secondary care, through into management of long-term conditions. It sets out proposals for future development of technology in the NHS, which impact across the patient journey.

• Report
• Summary

Putting patients at the heart of artificial intelligence

British Heart Foundation -
According to this report, the spread of misinformation risks undermining public confidence in the use of artificial intelligence in health care. The report warns that the NHS and relevant bodies need to do more to improve public understanding of the use of this innovative technology if its life saving potential is to be realised.

• Report
• British Heart Foundation - press release

All systems go

Royal College of General Practitioners - 

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) states in this 'tech manifesto' that a robust and joined-up IT system across the NHS needs to be prioritised before a technological 'revolution' in patient care can truly happen. The manifesto recognises the exciting potential of genomics, AI, digital medicine and robotics to potentially revolutionise patient care and improve patient safety. However the RCGP says that widespread improvement will only be possible once robust, secure IT systems are in place for all GP practices and all areas of the NHS have access to computer networks which seamlessly link up the patient journey.

• Manifesto
• Press release

Embracing technology in health and social care

TaxPayers' Alliance -
This paper examines the potential impact of the increased use of automation in health and social care. It considers how embracing existing and developing technology can enable the health and social care system to increase productivity, reduce costs, and result in better health and social care.

• Report
• TaxPayers' Alliance - publications

Using digital technology to design and deliver better mental health services: perspectives from Australia and the USA

NHS Confederation -
Across the world, people experiencing mental health problems face challenges accessing care and support. The purpose of this project is to explore what we in the UK might learn from colleagues in the USA and Australia engaged in work relating to making better use of digital technology in the mental health sector.

• Report
• NHS Confederation - publications

 

Code of conduct for data-driven health and care technology

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This code of conduct contains a set of principles that set out what the Department of Health and Social Care expects from suppliers and users of data-driven technologies. The aim of the code is to make it easier for suppliers to understand what is needed from them, and to help health and care providers choose safe, effective, secure technology to improve the services they provide.

• Code of conduct
• Press release

The Topol Review: preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future

Health Education England - 

The Topol Review, led by cardiologist, geneticist, and digital medicine researcher Dr Eric Topol, explores how to prepare the healthcare workforce, through education and training, to deliver the digital future. This independent report, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, makes recommendations that will enable NHS staff to make the most of innovative technologies such as genomics, digital medicine, artificial intelligence and robotics to improve services.

• Review
• More detail

 

Research and development work relating to assistive technology: 2017–18

Department of Health and Social Care -
This report sets out government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology. These projects aim to increase the independence or wellbeing of disabled and older people.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Cochlear implants for children and adults with severe to profound deafness (part review of TA166)

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - 

Hundreds more people with severe to profound deafness are expected to be eligible for cochlear implants each year, due to this updated NICE guidance. The update comes after a review of the definition of severe to profound deafness which is used to identify if a cochlear implant might be appropriate.

• Update
• Press release

Legal barriers to the better use of health data to deliver pharmaceutical innovation

Office of Health Economics - 

This report summarise research evaluating the main legal barriers to the better use of health data for pharmaceutical innovation. Issues are evaluated according to barriers arising in utilising data to support six key activities across the lifecycle of a medicine: epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology: identifying unmet need; pharmacogenetics; interventional studies; non-interventional studies; pharmacovigilance; and managed entry agreements. 

• Report
• More detail