Health Management and Policy Alert

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

Robotics in social care

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology -
This POSTnote introduces robotic technology and the main ways it has been developed for use in social care. It reviews evidence on the impact of robotics on the costs and quality of social care and its workforce, and explores the main ethical, social and regulatory challenges to its use in social care.

• Briefing
• Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology - publications

Making NHS data work for everyone

Reform - 

This report looks at the access and use of data held by the NHS for product and service development purposes by the private sector. Benefits can emerge from the NHS partnering with the private sector to develop healthcare technologies. The private sector can provide skills and know-how to develop data-driven tools whilst the NHS makes the data available alongside medical expertise - described as the “value exchange”. There is a lack of clarity over what a fair value exchange looks like. This combined with the lack of national strategy on types of partnerships that could be developed has led to a messy patchwork on the ground.

• Report
• More detail