#7. W/c 14th October '24
Alastair Allen
Partner, Head of Healthcare Technology at EY | Board Member at openEHR UK | Health and Social Care Council Member at TechUK
In this week's edition of my newsletter, Wes Streeting's innovative proposals as part of a 10-year plan for the NHS, together with contrasting opinions on the associated trust and privacy considerations. In Ireland, the HSE’s Digital for Care 2030 plan is making strides, while Cirdan secures ￡2.3 million in funding.
Wes Streeting’s NHS revolution with smartwatches to monitor diabetes in 10-year plan
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is unveiling a 10-year plan to transform the NHS by incorporating smartwatches for health monitoring, targeting conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The initiative aims to empower individuals to manage their health from home, using devices to track blood pressure and glucose levels. This tech-driven approach is part of broader reforms to reinvigorate community-led healthcare and reduce NHS costs.
The proposed changes, which include neighbourhood health centres and “establish[ing] a single patient medical record”, also seek to maintain NHS principles like free-at-point-of-need care and shorten appointment waits. Streeting envisions a "Neighbourhood Health Service" powered by cutting-edge technology, keeping patients out of hospitals. He acknowledges the NHS’s challenges but sees significant opportunities for modernisation. The plan has received support from some quarters but faces concerns over staffing and investment. The Royal College of Nursing welcomes the community shift but warns of insufficient nurse numbers, stressing the need for new investment.
If you let Google have your data, why not the NHS?
Related to the concept of consolidating patient medical records, Phillip Inman, writing for The Guardian, discusses the potential benefits of sharing personal data with the NHS, comparing it to the willingness of individuals to share similar information with tech giants like Google. The piece highlights that government access to personal data could streamline public service provision and welfare distribution, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Inman argues that the government's role in protecting personal information and ensuring ethical data use is crucial as we advance into a digital future dominated by cybercurrencies and artificial intelligence. He contrasts this with the unchecked influence of corporations whose marketing strategies often have detrimental effects on public health, as highlighted by experts like Dr Chris van Tulleken. The forthcoming digital transition, illustrated by Sadiq Khan’s Ulez initiative, reflects a need for government involvement to address societal issues effectively; however, public scepticism remains a barrier to embracing such digital governance. Inman's article calls for a shift in public perception to view the state as a responsible custodian of digital data, navigating technological advances while safeguarding individual privacy and welfare.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/19/if-you-let-google-have-your-data-why-not-the-nhs
A first look at Wes Streeting’s vision for the medical notes held by your GP
Building on the Guardian’s note about public scepticism, Med Confidential has published a more challenging piece, arguing that a move to a centralised record could lead to a loss of accountability, as patients may not be able to track who accesses their records, increasing the risk of data misuse.? The article suggests that politicians will decide “who can see and read your medical notes” and that this will “replace the existing local health and care records”.
It is not clear what these claims are based on, and I’m not sure how they would stand up under scrutiny, but it does highlight some of the challenges Streeting will need to overcome to achieve his vision.
Finances are the main barrier to digital transformation say NHS leaders
Moving on from the trust issues outlined above, a survey by NHS Providers highlights that financial constraints are the primary barrier to digital transformation within the NHS, according to 73% of trust leaders. The survey received 185 responses from 134 NHS trusts, conducted in May and June 2024. Despite progress in adopting advanced digital technologies like electronic patient records, trust leaders cited funding issues as major obstacles to enhancing productivity and patient safety.
Additional challenges include operational pressures affecting clinical engagement and technology adoption, as reported by 50% of respondents. Infrastructure problems, such as inadequate wi-fi and outdated equipment, were highlighted by 35%, while a similar percentage pointed to workforce capacity and lack of system interoperability as barriers.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, stated that outdated technology adds to clinical workloads rather than improving efficiency. She emphasised the potential of digital transformation to enhance patient access to care and data, and called for government support to overcome these barriers. Cordery expressed concerns about underinvestment in digital technology, especially in community, mental health, and social care sectors.
All eyes are on the upcoming budget announcement at the end of October.
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HSE plan to fund regions based on population need is more efficient but not adding GPs and Fair Deal scheme a risk
Back in Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland plans to allocate funding to regions based on population needs, which is deemed more efficient. However, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) warns that excluding General Practitioners (GPs) and the Fair Deal nursing home scheme from this plan could pose risks. The ESRI report notes that the new population-based resource allocation (PBRA) system will direct funding to six regional health authorities, aiming to better suit local healthcare delivery. The reorganisation aims to decentralise decision-making from the central HSE office in Dublin. The ESRI highlights that the PBRA could significantly improve equitable resource distribution and advance care integration, aligning with international practices.
Digital for Care 2030: Making Strides
The Digital for Care 2030 initiative in Ireland is progressing significantly, as highlighted in various key events and surveys. A notable event was the Integrated Care Conference held on 5th September 2024, which gathered over a thousand delegates to discuss themes of access and integration in healthcare. Damien McCallion from the HSE emphasised the transformative strides in digital health, focusing on the shift from acute care to preventive measures and reducing health inequalities. He stressed the importance of interconnected systems, consistent data, continuous innovation, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI). The Department of Health’s Framework under this initiative aims to implement an Electronic Health Record and Shared Care Record, providing a single access point to health information for patients and staff.
Additionally, a survey conducted by HIQA, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE, gathered opinions from over 2,000 members of the public and 1,020 healthcare professionals. The survey aimed to understand attitudes towards accessing digital health records and services. It revealed that the public desires education, training, data security, and assurance. These findings will inform ongoing developments under Digital for Care 2030.
Cirdan Ltd secures ￡2.3m to expand operations
Finally, congratulations to Hugh Cormican and his team. It's great to see a local Northern Ireland business doing so well.? Cirdan Ltd, are a Lisburn-based global leader in digital pathology, who has secured ￡2.3 million in new funding from a round led by Kernel Capital. This financial injection will support Cirdan's expansion plans, including creating up to 25 new jobs and enhancing customer onboarding processes ahead of securing new contracts. The company, which serves over 150 laboratories and hospitals across 20 countries, is on track for 80% year-on-year growth in 2024.
Cirdan's platform provides a streamlined approach to collecting critical healthcare data through solutions like specimen imaging and laboratory information systems. These offerings aim to improve diagnostic times and offer new healthcare insights while integrating seamlessly with digital pathology and AI technologies.
Programme Manager at CGI, delivering digital services to the Northern Ireland Public Sector. Tech Leader with 20 years industry experience in project management, infrastructure, cloud and architecture.
4 个月Really enjoying these weekly updates Alastair Allen