Patients nationwide will benefit from a £30m government investment in innovative NHS technology.
The new NHS technology will help ease pressures on the NHS this winter and could include the expansion of 3D checks that speed up cancer tests and novel logistics solutions such as the use of drones.
Available to each region in England, ICSs – organisations that come together in local areas to deliver joined-up health and social care services – will be able to invest in the latest technology that can help cut waiting lists, speed up diagnosis, and provide new and improved ways to treat patients.
What does the new NHS technology include?
Depending on local needs, ICSs could use the funding to expand virtual wards, allowing more patients to receive the care they need at home.
Over 9,800 virtual ward beds have already been created, and the NHS is on track to meet its target and deliver 10,000 ahead of winter due to investments in medical technology.
NHS technology could also expand to wearable medical devices to diagnose and manage numerous chronic conditions.
Alternatively, investing in digital 3D and other imaging technology could bolster diagnostic tests, supporting the NHS to detect and treat cancer and other serious illnesses earlier.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “It is vital that clinicians have access to the latest NHS technology to save staff time, deliver high-quality care, and help cut waiting lists – one of the government’s top five priorities.
“This investment will see the latest tech innovations rolled out across the NHS. From virtual ward beds to wearable medical devices, patients will be better supported, and we will ease pressures on hospitals this winter.”
Prioritising new technology in healthcare ahead of winter
The new funding comes on top of a series of other measures the government is taking to support the NHS this winter.
Earlier this year, the government published its Medical Technology Strategy, which set out steps to ensure patients can access safe, effective and innovative NHS technology.
This builds on the £21m Artificial Intelligence diagnostics fund, which aims to improve access to the latest AI NHS technology to diagnose and treat patients more quickly.
NHS Trusts were invited to bid for funding to accelerate the rollout of the most promising AI imaging and decision support tools to help diagnose patients more quickly for cancer, stroke, and heart conditions.
In September, an additional £200m was invested in the health service to boost resilience and help patients get the care they need as quickly as possible in the coming months.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan, announced in January, also committed to delivering 5,000 additional permanent, fully staffed hospital beds, 10,000 virtual ward beds and 800 new ambulances.
NHS interim national director of transformation, Dr Vin Diwakar, concluded: “This world-leading NHS technology has already helped more than 210,000 patients be treated in their own homes through the rollout of virtual wards.
“This new funding will allow the health service to adopt more innovations that improve patient care and reduce pressure on wider services.”
