Here, we take a look at some of the latest health tech news and updates from across the NHS.

Imperial College Healthcare launches life sciences collaboration 

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has announced a new partnership with ARC West London designed to drive innovation in life sciences and develop the local health ecosystem with a focus on Charing Cross Hospital, and the West London region.

The collaboration has also launched a co-working incubator lab, offering those with early-stage concepts the chance to access facilities, equipment and support to develop their ideas.

The announcement was welcomed by Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who called it a “major milestone in establishing our corner of West London as a global leader in science and technology”, adding: “By fostering collaboration between world-class research institutions, innovative companies, and the NHS, we are not only driving economic growth but also shaping the future of healthcare and deep tech in line with our Upstream London industrial strategy.”

150,000 patients now registered for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s patient portal

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has shared that it now has 150,000 patients registered on its Patients Know Best patient portal, reporting 23,000 people using the service every week.

Patients are able to use the service to view appointment details and letters, clinical correspondence, discharge notifications, and health information, as well as to cancel or reschedule appointments.

The trust estimates that the portal has helped to avoid 200,000 letters from being printed and posted, saving over 600,000 sheets of paper, and supporting more than 10,000 appointment reschedules and cancellations.

Sarah Davis, COO at MTW, also highlighted the portal’s “integral part” in reducing DNAs and maximising clinic productivity, adding that feedback from patients has been “fantastic”.

Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre reaccredited with Stage 6 HIMSS EMRAM ranking

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been reaccredited with HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 ranking.

Inspectors reportedly commented on the way that the trust is joining up healthcare for patients with the use of digital, including through structured and standardised nursing notes, noting: “By ensuring that record keeping practices are standardised, nurses can enhance their professional practice, safeguard patient outcomes, and contribute to the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery systems.”

The team at HIMSS are also quoted as saying: “A recurring theme we saw and heard from the staff was the passion for using technology as a driver of continuous service improvement. This was clearly reflected in your initiatives. Patient safety is at the forefront of everything you do in digital.”

Robotic surgery milestone at Bedfordshire Hospitals

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating hitting a milestone, with more than 1,000 robotic assisted surgical procedures having been completed in the last two years. A da Vinci Xi robot was installed at each of the trust’s two sites in March 2023, and has since being used to treat conditions across bowel and renal cancer, endometriosis, uro-gynaecology, bariatric, general surgery and biliary surgery, and complex head and neck conditions.

Celebrating Bedford Hospital’s milestone 500th procedure was Kanapathi Rajaratnam, consultant in general and colorectal Surgery, who remarked on the “considerable achievement”, adding: “Introducing this new technology has brought so many benefits for our patients, and the commitment to innovation – and the training, education and research it brings – will help us retain and attract high calibre staff and trainees, establishing a place in the nation’s healthcare map.”

In total, 15 surgeons at the trust are now trained in using the da Vinci robot, according to the update, with all surgeons and their teams needing to go through a “comprehensive” training course before using the robot in surgery.

Ashford and St Peter’s completes 100 robotic resections

Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed 100 robotic major bowel operations in the 18 months from July 2023 to the end of 2024, removing and reconstructing sections of large bowels in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, endometriosis, diverticular disease, colitis and crohn’s disease.

The trust’s robotic lead, Jonathan Trickett, highlighted some of the impacts that this type of surgery has had on patient care, noting: “Using our da Vinci robot for this type of surgery means we have seen a decrease in the length of hospital stay of patients, fewer complications, including surgical site infections, and fewer readmissions compared to laparoscopic or open surgeries.”

We’re looking at some of the latest news in health tech from across the NHS. From virtual wards success to new AI solutions and robotic-assisted surgery, here are some of the stories that have caught our attention.

AI used to investigate links between medications and skin cancer risks

Dr Zoe Venables, consultant dermatologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, has been using AI to help identify and investigate the links between prescription medications and skin cancer. Supported by Prof Wenjia Wang, professor of AI at the School of Computer Sciences and Dr Kathryn Richardson, senior statistician at the University of East Anglia, Zoe has used the British Skin Foundation Young Investigator Award to aid in her research, which will analyse the “anonymised prescription data of more than a million patient records”.

Dr Venables, commented: “We know that some medications increase photosensitivity which make it more likely to get sun burnt and in turn this could lead to an increase in the likelihood of skin cancer. There is good evidence to suggest that a blood pressure medication that increases the risk of sun burn and in turn skin cancer risk and there are many other drugs that cause photosensitivity. However, it is difficult to give a definitive answer and this project will help to provide a more informed discussion with patients as to whether certain medicines may pose an increased risk.”

Population health data helps 156 children at risk of developing respiratory conditions

Since its launch in December 2023, the Warm Homes for Young Lungs project has reportedly helped 156 children at risk of developing breathing problems and worsening respiratory conditions. Run by Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the project uses the region’s population health platform to identify and support children aged two to seven with a respiratory condition within the most deprived areas in the St Helens region.

The data is said to help to pinpoint children who have previously been prescribed Salbutamol and admitted to hospital within the last 12 months, helping to identify those who may be likely to become ill or deteriorate. The trust said, “as a result, the majority of children have had changes in their medication and all children received respiratory management plans and inhaler technique advice.”

175,000 patients benefit from virtual wards, according to NHSE South East 

NHS England South East has reported a total of 175,000 patients have used virtual ward services since April 2022. The latest updates show the “steady growth” of this care pathway with “over 85,000 admissions to virtual wards” across the region during 2024, resulting in an 18 percent uplift since 2023.

More detailed analysis of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West ICB shows how the hospital at home programme has “significantly” reduced reliance on emergency services, with admission rates falling by “73 percent for adults and 85 percent for children”.

Annalise.ai solution helps detect life-threatening diseases in Harrogate 

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust recently introduced AI technology developed by Annalise.ai to help diagnose patients with life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer. According to the trust, the use of this software will “significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of chest X-ray analysis” which will ultimately help to “improve care and cut waiting times”.

This follows the implementation of another AI solution known as Radiobotics RBfracture, which has been used by the trust since July 2023 to help detect fractures, dislocation and other x-ray findings in a more efficient and accurate way.

Over 100 patients treated with robotic-assisted surgery 

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s surgical team has reportedly treated over 100 patients through robotic-assisted surgery, since the technology was introduced in September 2024. According to the trust, the robot offers “greater precision” when it comes to carrying out complex procedures, allowing for “smaller incisions” and “reduced damage to the surrounding tissue”.

The robot is currently being utilised in a number of areas including gynaecological cancer, general surgery and urology procedures, with plans to expand the service later this year upon the arrival of a second robot.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Trust encourages self-care via the Healthier Together app

Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Trust have been encouraging parents and carers within the region to download the Healthier Together app when faced with children presenting flu-like symptoms, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19. With the aim to promote self-care at home, the app is being offered as an alternative to help reduce waiting times in emergency departments.

Sanjay Patel, consultant in paediatric infectious diseases working at Southampton Children’s Hospital spoke on the benefits of using the app, saying: “If you’re worried that your child is unwell, the Healthier Together app is a great place to start as it provides information and advice regarding your child’s health at your fingertips.”

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Here, we take a look at news from the international health tech arena that’s caught our eye over the last few weeks.

WHO-supported workshop presents Solomon Islands digital health strategy 2025-2029, focuses on workforce education and training, data and integration

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), with technical support from the World Health Organization, recently held a two-day workshop outlining the details of its national digital health strategy for 2025-2029, including plans for workforce education and training, data, and integration.

Pauline McNeil, MHMS permanent secretary, spoke of the importance of “a robust data ecosystem” in supporting the nation’s healthcare providers to make more informed decisions and optimise resource allocation, adding that “with precise and timely data, we can identify trends, address emerging health challenges, and implement targeted interventions.” McNeil also shared that the success of the new strategy will be based on the capabilities of staff, noting the importance of investing in training and capacity-building to prepare the workforce for using digital tools.

WHO representative, Georgios Theocharopoulos, discussed the advantages of well-designed digital health infrastructure, saying: “A solid, national digital health strategy with integrated solutions will let us accelerate these innovations, allowing the health sector to optimise resource allocation, improve regulatory oversight, and support effective health policymaking.”

Malaysian hospital achieves HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 validation

The Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) in Malaysia has achieved HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 validation, with the hospital highlighting its adoption of “advanced” EMR systems and associated improvements in patient safety, streamlining and the availability of data to inform decision-making.

Welcoming the accreditation, Dato’ Sri Dr Alwi Mohamed Yunus, said: “While we celebrate this achievement, our journey continues. We are already aiming for EMRAM Stage 7 validation by 2025, which will enable us to deliver even more comprehensive care and maximise the value of our data for improved outcomes and operations.”

According to the update, the hospital now plans to focus on developing the IJNCare app, which currently allows patients to manage appointments and prescriptions, to include “integrating wearable devices for home monitoring, allowing patients to track their health and connect virtually with their care providers”. Another area of focus for IJN is data analytics, which it plans to use to inform hospital operations and improve patient outcomes.

AI in medicines procurement in Vietnam

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has shared details of the way AI is being used in Vietnam to help enhance speed and accuracy, and improve transparency around medicines procurement.

The digital tool, the Medicine Reference Price Calculation Software, has been piloted at the Hanoi Department of Health, to automatically identifying the highest, lowest and most frequent winning bid prices for medicines from the past 12 months, and effectively removing “potentially inconsistent human decisions” from the procurement process.

According to the UNDP, the ambition now is to roll out the software to “all 63 provincial Departments of Health and health facilities across the country”.

Healthtech company secures $50 million in Series A funding for use of imaging biomarkers for precision medicine

Healthtech company Quibim has secured $50 million in Series A funding for its use of AI-powered imaging biomarkers to inform precision medicine, with the funding reportedly being set to help support plans to build on “success in Europe” with US expansion.

Reporting on its work in developing foundational AI models applied to imaging that “extract actionable insights from MRI, CT and PET scans”, Quibim highlights the importance of the insights generated in enabling the “precise characterisation of phenotypes and prediction of outcomes in areas such as oncology, immunology, neurology and metabolic disorders”.

A company update shares that this is part of the journey toward achieving “human digital twins”, or “dynamic models that not only reflect and allow health monitoring but also enhance patient stratification, improve the success rates of drug development programs, and enable treatment testing before application”. Whilst the focus is currently on the development of digital twins at organ- and lesion-level, the next step is to analyse the entire body, the update continues.

“Up to $188 million” investment for cancer care as program sets out to boost resilience of health organisations in New York 

An update from New York governor Kathy Hochul’s office has shared plans for the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program, which will see “up to $188 million” in investment to establish a “comprehensive cancer care center”, along with further investments in hospitals and health partnerships across the state. The $188 million funding will help develop the partnership between Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering on a “Comprehensive Cancer Program of Queens”, to include a new radiation and infusion therapy campus.

Other projects receiving preliminary approval include the integration of Glens Falls Hospital into the Albany Med EMR system to help modernise the emergency department and improve care delivery; the modernisation of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital’s maternity and neonatal intensive care units; and the upgrading of communication infrastructure to “improve efficiency” across the Bassett Health Network.

200 tablets delivered to medical staff in Ukraine’s armed forces in “first step” toward introducing ePMR

200 tablets equipped with software for “creating and managing Electronic Primary Medical Records (ePMR)” have been delivered to medical personnel in Ukraine’s armed forces, marking the first step toward introducing ePMR across the nation’s defence forces.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has reportedly approved the ePMR form which will be utilised to help streamline record keeping for pre-hospital medical care, replacing the “outdated” version in current use.

Military medics will now be able to create ePMRs using the tablets, with data “automatically transferred” to the armed forces’ medical information system, which supports service members “throughout all stages of medical evacuation”.

Here for HTN’s latest news in brief, we take a look at some of the latest news around digital and data from across the health service.

University Hospitals Dorset collaborates on portable diagnostic device for skin cancer

A collaboration between University Hospitals Dorset and Bournemouth University is aiming to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) specific to skin cancers, and develop a device capable of detecting them.

Following a pilot study which developed a “custom extraction device” to capture VOCs released from skin cancer sites, the three-year clinical study will take place at Poole Hospital.

Richard Paul, professor of bioanalytical chemistry at Bournemouth University, said the development of a rapid sensor “deployable in a point of care device” is “an exciting prospect”. He went on: “This would enable rapid detection of skin cancer in primary care, enhancing patient triage and improving patient outcomes.”

Robotics for “smart biopsies” at The Royal Marsden NHS FT

Researchers from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust have been working to understand how the use of robotic guidance can help take multiple biopsies across different parts of a single tumour, with biopsies “analysed whilst still in the human body”.

Funded by The Royal College of Radiologists and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the study saw patients with suspected retroperitoneal and pelvic sarcomas (RPS) undergoing an MRI around a week prior to the biopsies, to allow results to be compared to the biopsy analysis.

By testing three target regions from the same tumour, clinicians reportedly saw “a more comprehensive and accurate representation of tumour biology compared to conventional single-site biopsy”. According to Edward Johnston, chief investigator and academic consultant in oncological interventional radiology, “knowing this before treating a patient will help us to make clearer, more informed decisions about patient care”.

It is hoped that the study will offer a more detailed understanding of how tumours appear on imaging, in turn opening up the potential to develop an AI algorithm able to classify tumours and predict tumour growth.

Initiative launched to tackle digital exclusion amongst pregnant women at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals

An initiative has been launched at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to help tackle digital exclusion amongst pregnant women, offering free data and SIM cards to those without digital devices.

Launched in partnership with the Good Things Foundation, a digital inclusion charity, the initiative means that maternity services can register to become “maternity digital hubs”, offering digital resources and free data to women from early-stage pregnancy through to the postnatal period.

Penny Snowden, director of midwifery, said: “By providing free data and SIM cards, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that digital technology enhances, rather than hinders, access to essential health information and support.”

New database hoped to improve outcomes for children with traumatic brain injuries

A study conducted across ten paediatric intensive care units over five years has helped create a new research database containing insights into “critical thresholds” of pressure reactivity index (PRx) to develop understandings of paediatric traumatic brain injuries.

The development of the STARSHIP (Status of Cerebrovascular AutoRegulation relates to outcome in Severe Paediatric Head Injury) database was funded by Action Medical Research for Children and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, and is hoped to help improve outcomes and foster continued research into traumatic brain injury.

Contributions to the project were made by departments across the University of Cambridge; Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham Children’s Hospital; Great Ormond Street Hospital; Leeds Children’s Hospital; Manchester Children’s Hospital; Nottingham Children’s Hospital; Oxford University Hospitals; Royal London Hospital; Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Southampton Children’s Hospital.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire launches patient portal

A patient portal has been launched at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, allowing patients to access information about their health, view upcoming appointments and clinical letters, and browse blood test results.

The myhealth Coventry and Warwickshire patient portal can be accessed from a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet, with patients making an outpatient appointment sent a text message containing a link to sign up. The trust has also developed an information page on its website, which offers more information, and a video demonstrating the registration process to help support patients.

UHCW has stated that further functionality is expected to be introduced over the coming months, including the ability to cancel, reschedule, or request appointments “for select services”.

New imaging scanner offers more detailed scans at York Hospital

A new SPECT-CT scanner has been installed at York Hospital, reportedly offering “faster, more accurate, and more detailed” scans for patients in the region.

By combining two types of scans, the scanner is hoped to enable earlier and more precise diagnosis, primarily in oncology imaging and functional brain assessments. York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shares that this could mean an increase in the department’s patient capacity by “up to a third”.

Sarah Burn, principal radiographer at York Hospital, said that the hospital’s previous scanner was “almost 20 years old”, and that access to this latest technology “will allow us to see more patients and provide the modern molecular imaging service our patients deserve”.

100,000 defibrillators now connected to British Heart Foundation network

100,000 defibrillators have now been registered to a network run by the British Heart Foundation, which aims to provide information to citizens on the nearest devices in case of cardiac arrest.

The Circuit offers information on defibrillators at locations including schools, supermarkets, gyms, and more, meaning when someone calls 999 for a cardiac arrest, the ambulance service can direct them to the nearest option.

Warren Bostock, community defibrillation officer at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “The Circuit has not only simplified the process for registering defibrillators but also sends maintenance reminders to those who look after the devices as well as a notification when one has been used so it can be checked and made available for the next emergency.”

Our latest news in brief takes a look at some of the important health tech stories that have caught our eye recently. From new neonatal apps to virtual wards and more, find out what’s going on across healthcare in the UK.

DIALOG+ tool helps trust learn more about patient mental health 

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health FT have been using an online tool known as DIALOG+ to ask patients about various aspects of life that have had an impact on their mental and physical wellbeing. The trust notes how this questionnaire has helped drive “impactful conversations” between patients and their healthcare providers and “makes it easier to collaborate with her service users to identify their needs”.

Now, all community mental health teams within the trust are reportedly using this tool to learn more about an individual’s family, relationships, leisure activities, accommodation as well as their physical and mental health.

Neonatal app goes live at Royal Bolton Hospital

Royal Bolton Hospital’s Neonatal Unit recently launched a new app designed to keep parents updated and involved in their baby’s care. The new app, known as vCreate allows parents and families to view video and photo updates related to their baby, even when they’re unable to be on the unit. They can also ask questions and get important updates about their baby’s progress.

Online self-referral form launches in the South West for people struggling with gambling addiction

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust have launched the South West Gambling Service. The online self-referral form provides specialist therapy for people affected by the impacts of gambling and works in partnership with Mental Health Matters, H2CD, Togetherall, Dr Julian and Intuitive Thinking Skills.

According to recent Gambling Commission figures, a reported 130,000 people across the UK could be experiencing problems due to gambling. When discussing this matter, Chris Gillmore, clinical lead for the South West Gambling Service said: “Sadly, there is still a lot of stigma associated with addictions, which can prevent some people from seeking help. By being able to self-refer online we hope we have made accessing our service even easier, and encourage people to come forward and get the help they need.”

East Cheshire NHS Trust’s virtual ward success

East Cheshire NHS Trust reported a total of 1,335 patients receiving specialised care from their own homes since the launch of their virtual ward back in 2023. Led by a team of advanced clinical practitioners, community nurses, therapists, and rapid response care providers, the virtual ward includes services tailored to various patient needs. This includes IV therapy at home, general medical care, palliative support, urgent community responses, triage, GP visits, and district nursing services. The trust noted how this has “significantly reduced the need for hospital admissions” and “improved patient outcomes”.

1,568 patients receive Hospital at Home care in East Lancashire

A similar story has come out of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, where they claim “more patients than ever” are being cared for in their own homes thanks to the trust’s virtual wards programme. According to the trust, their Hospital at Home approach has led to of 1,568 patients being given the necessary equipment to be monitored, supported and treated at home.

Other notable improvements include: more requests for support by care homes, reducing the number of people who may have been taken to hospital by ambulance; and assessing over 1,000 patients in their homes within two hours of a request.

Harrogate and District NHS FT receives £1.4 million for an additional MRI scanner to support AI research

Harrogate and District NHS FT recently received a £1.4 million investment from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for an additional MRI scanner to support research with a “particular focus” on the role of AI to aid diagnosis. The trust was one of 36 NHS organisations in England to receive this type of funding from the NIHR, following a recent call for bids to improve access to research studies in smaller hospitals in England.

Virtual hospital tour goes live in Middlesborough to ease patients

Middlesborough Hospital has just launched a virtual tour of key areas within the Dalesway unit at Roseberry Park, to help “ease the anxiety of patients” before they visit. This includes a 3D walkthrough of the reception, corridors, and café, allowing you to move through these areas by clicking on the different locations. So far, the tour is currently made up of photos and information about Dalesway, with plans to potentially update it in the future to include maps and videos of the area.

Should the tour prove successful, it could be rolled out to “at least ten” other Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation sites, with senior administrator Dawn Teeley commenting: “we have already had some great feedback from people, who are really positive and supportive about the project. It’s great to see it finally become reality”.

In our latest international news in brief, we take a look at some of the recent international health tech headlines that have caught our eye.

AI-powered learning platform, Stepful, secures $31.5 Million in funding to address U.S. healthcare worker shortage

The digital learning platform, Stepful recently received $31.5 million in Series B funding to help address the healthcare worker shortage in the US.

According to the American Hospital Association, the US healthcare system faces a shortage of 3.2 million allied healthcare workers, nurses, and mental health professionals by 2026. They have noted how traditional educational models, such as community colleges and trade schools, “often require in-person attendance, have enrolment caps, and are costly”, which ultimately “limits their scalability in addressing these shortages”.

Stepful provides virtual instructor-led courses, which have reportedly “yielded industry-leading outcomes”, highlighting their “strong growth” in enrolment, with nearly 30,000 enrolees projected for 2025. They plan to use this funding to expand their B2B offering for continued growth in their health system partnerships. “This funding supports our mission to make healthcare training more accessible while addressing the U.S. shortage of healthcare workers,” Carl Madi, CEO of Stepful commented.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium conducts EHR assessment 

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is working with impact advisors to conduct an assessment into their EHR system, as the contract with their current vendor soon comes to an end.

As part of this assessment, they are seeking “critical feedback” from members of the Tribal Health Organisation on their experiences with the current system, why the topic is so important for the organisation and how the ideal EHR would support statewide, specialty care.

This marks the first stage of informing their next steps, with the team at NTHC noting how they have already had “a diversity of perspectives will help us understand operational inefficiencies, gaps in care coordination, and opportunities we should strive for over the next 10 years”.

Paris-based medtech startup, Robeauté, raises $28m for the development of neurosurgical microrobots

Led by robotics veteran Bertrand Duplat and operations expert Joana Cartocci, Robeaute aims to “revolutionise neurosurgery” using a “minimally invasive approach”. As such, they have developed microrobots that are “the size of a grain of rice,” to enter the brain to diagnose, treat, and monitor neurological conditions. These microrobots move along curved routes through the extracellular matrix to safely reach multiple sites and carry out whichever task is required locally.

The startup shared more on the reasoning behind the use of this technology, explaining how, “modular medical devices can embark on specific missions depending on the pathology, making them the ideal tool to deliver molecules, implant an electrode and collect cell or live-data samples.”

This technology is currently being used as a biopsy tool in animal studies, with plans for it to be used for treatment and real-time monitoring in the future. The new funding—which comes from Plural, Cherry Ventures and Kindred Ventures, with participation from Brainlab—will be used to continue developing the microrobots and begin human trials in 2026.

South Australia announces ePCR tender recipient 

South Australia’s ambulance service has announced healthcare information systems company, Dedalus, as the successful tender recipient for the implementation of an electronic patient care record.

The $23.5 million State Government investment aims to help transform South Australia’s ambulance service, giving ambulance crews the tools to electronically document patient information for the first time. The ePCR system is set to “empower on-road clinicians to access some patient level data, helping to build the clinical profile that enhances the quality of care provided”, with a statewide rollout planned for mid-2026, covering over 500 ambulance fleet.

More than 100,000 referrals received on Tasmanian Government’s eReferrals system

Tasmania’s eReferral system has reportedly seen more than 100,000 referrals since its launch in 2022. The system was developed as part of a collaborative partnership between Primary Health Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government to replace a handwritten and fax-based system. It works by logging a referral with a specialist service or clinic, before notifying GPs of receipt to ensure patients receive the appropriate treatment.

Minister for health, Jacquie Petrusma, said: “under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we are determined to see better efficiency in our healthcare system, and the Digital Health Transformation will be vitally important in achieving this goal.”

Lagos state staff commission four new digital projects to help improve patient experience 

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Fund and the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), have commissioned a series of projects designed to “enhance digital healthcare” as well as “power reliability and security” at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic in Alausa, Ikeja. This includes a state-of-the-art EMR; a 30kVA hybrid lithium-powered solar inverter system; a 25-camera CCTV system; and the installation of 38 electrical fans.

Special advisor to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi commented, “healthcare is a complex system, and every part must work together seamlessly. Digitalisation is not just about catching up; it’s about creating a system that’s efficient, patient-centered, and data-driven”.

Let’s take a look at some of the latest news on digital and data to have caught our eye over the last few weeks.

Medical imaging tech boosts diagnosis in Sandwell and West Birmingham

The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, part of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, has introduced three new scanning machines which combine two types of scans in one, allowing clinicians to see “both the body’s internal structure and how its organs are functioning in remarkable detail”.

The systems by Siemens, are said to boost precision in diagnostics, helping with the accurate localisation of abnormal tissue, and in the detection of lesions for oncology, cardiology, and neurology.

Joseph O’Brien, consultant physicist and head of nuclear medicine at Sandwell and West Birmingham, spoke of the trust’s excitement at launching the new technology, adding that patients can now expect “quicker, more accurate diagnoses for serious conditions, reduced radiation exposure during medical scans, a more comfortable scanning experience, and faster turnaround of test results”.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital announces expansion of AI teledermatology service trustwide 

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has announced the expansion of its AI teledermatology service trustwide, sharing that since the launch of its initial pilot in 2022, the service has “assessed over 10,000 patients and has since become standard practice”.

The DERM solution utilises AI to assess images taken of moles and lesions, and is trained to classify the most common cancerous, pre-cancerous, and benign types of skin lesions. According to the trust, it has been shown to perform at “a level similar to that of face-to-face Dermatologist assessments”, with a 97 percent sensitivity for skin cancer.

The use of autonomous AI to identify and discharge patients with benign skin lesions “without validation by a dermatologist”, has also released more than 35 percent of dermatologist appointments for urgent cases, the trust shares.

vCreate video service supports patients with epilepsy in Cambridge

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has shared how introducing the vCreate video service has supported parents to upload videos of potential seizures, which can be viewed remotely by consultants, allowing collaboration amongst doctors from different trusts. Parents are also able to grant permission for their video to be used for teaching purposes.

Dr Andy Michell, consultant in clinical neurophysiology, said: “If you had a patient in Ipswich or in Peterborough, their local teams could review the footage for their local patients. But if it requires a second opinion, it can easily be shared within the secure cloud.”

The trust hopes the service will help reduce the economic burden on families having to travel to hospital, enable local teams to treat patients within their community, and reduce geographic inequality when it comes to treatment.

Royal Free offers virtual tour of art collection to patients and the public

The Royal Free Charity, the charity partner of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, has launched a virtual tour, showcasing its “extensive” art collection for patients and members of the public “from the comfort of their home or hospital bed”.

New “more precise” radiotherapy machine reduces treatment times in Lancashire

A new “more precise” radiotherapy machine has been shown to reduce the time for patients by 17.6 percent at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals’ Rosemere Cancer Centre.

According to Jayne Fletcher, treatment delivery team leader at the centre, the Elekta Harmony linear accelerator represents a “significant upgrade” to the hospital’s oncology department, selected for its “precision and versatility”, and its “fast-track” feature designed to “reduce set up time and reduce overall time slots”.

Jayne shared that since introducing the new machine, the centre has been able to “reduce patient time slots by four minutes” thanks in part to its “better access” for those with mobility issues, and touchscreen controls which “help the team complete a quicker patient setup”.

Interactive artwork for children with additional needs at King’s College Hospital

Children in the paediatric department of King’s College Hospital are being encouraged to explore a new Enchanted Forest interactive artwork installation, designed to offer sensory stimulation and “uplifting and joyful experiences” for those with additional needs.

Created by Sony Design, the interactive screen-based experience allows children to explore the landscape, reflecting their movements on screen as a light “which causes plants and flowers to grow across the forest floor”. Noises such as birdsong and rustling leaves add to the immersive nature of the experience.

£700,000 investment in robotic rehabilitation suite for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals 

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals has received a £700,000 investment from the Fred and Ann Green Legacy and DBTH Charity to improve stroke rehabilitation services, helping to support the introduction of a Tyromotion Robotic Rehabilitation Suite to aid mobility, limb functionality, and cognitive recovery.

The Fesia Grasp glove, a “functional electrical stimulation tool that enhances hand motor recovery through high-tech electrodes linked to a tablet for precise and rapid therapy”, is one of the devices on offer, along with a robotic gait trainer, a balance trainer, and a horizontal tablet featuring gamified therapy.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust performs “fully bespoke shoulder replacement surgery” with 3D printed implant

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has successfully performed a “fully bespoke shoulder replacement surgery” using a 3D printed implant designed in collaboration with Swiss surgical innovation and implant company Medacta, and “precisely tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy”.

With the process taking only six weeks from sourcing and manufacturing the implant to completing the surgery, the trust celebrates what it refers to as “a significant milestone for patient care and innovation”. It also shares “anticipated” improved outcomes as a result of minimised bone removal and a reduced operating time, with trauma lead and consultant upper limb and orthopaedic surgeon Nik Bakti adding that the procedure “was the best option for the patient”.

Find out what’s going on in health tech news with our latest news in brief. Here are some of the stories that recently caught our attention.

Sexual health digital hub launches in Leeds

A new digital hub has launched in Leeds, offering support and advice on sexual health in a quick and accessible way. Commissioned by Leeds City Council, the hub gives valuable information specifically aimed at young people, to keep them informed about emergency contraception and testing for STIs, pregnancy and HIV.

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds GP Confederation and Forum Central, were all involved in the implementation of the new digital hub, as part of a commitment to deliver sexual health services across the city.

Amanda Hammond, Operation Head of Leeds Sexual Health Service, said: “The new Digital Hub is an important step forward in making sexual healthcare responsive to the needs of the community.  Our online services make it easier than ever to access the right support when and where it’s needed.”

135,00 patients manage appointments with online portal 

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust introduced their patient portal in 2023 and have since had more than 135,000 patients registered, with 20,000 of those patients using it regularly. The portal allows patients to access their health information online, manage appointments and receive clinical correspondence. The trust notes that it has reduced paper letters by nearly half a million.

MPFT Digital and SSHIS team up to help tackle digital poverty in Staffordshire 

Midlands Partnership University (MPFT Digital) and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Health Informatics Service have teamed up to tackle digital poverty within the Staffordshire area. They take technology that can no longer be used by staff and gift it to the community. This includes laptops, desktops, keyboards and tablets that have already served their purpose within the trust.

In one instance, equipment was donated to Stafford Manor High School, who then passed it onto students and families in need. This recycling scheme is all part of MPFT’s Green Plan, while also helping to tackle digital exclusion. One trustee shared, “with the kind support of MPFT we’ve been able to rehome 434 laptops and 32 desktop PCs for community benefit in Staffordshire and beyond. That’s at least 456 lives completely changed by the opportunities these devices have created”.

New research and innovation director appointed at Mersey Care

Earlier this month, Mersey Care appointed a new Director of Research and Innovation. Professor Dan Joyce is set to lead in the implementation of new projects and important research within the trust. He has a background in consultant psychiatry and currently works as the Chair of Connected Mental Health within M-RIC at Mersey Care and the University of Liverpool.

In his new role, Professor Joyce aims to address some of the most pressing challenges within the Mental Health Research and Innovation Centre, looking at the utilisation of more advanced technologies and methodologies. As 1st December 2024, he will be taking over from Professor Hussain, who spent the last two years guiding innovation and research within the trust.

Virtual reality used to support palliative care

Finally, over the past year, the Living Well Centre at the John Eastwood Hospice has been integrating VR technology into their care routine, helping to improve the quality of life for end-of-life patients. The partnership between Nottinghamshire Healthcare and the John Eastwood Hospice Trust has enabled patients to engage in relaxing and immersive experiences, such as spending time on the beach or swimming with Dolphins.

Feedback from patients and family members has been positive, with the VR experience showing promise in multiple areas. It is said to have helped to improve physical abilities and sparked important memories of meaningful moments from their lives. Dr Sanchia Biswas, lead clinical psychologist in Palliative Care at the Hospice commented on the VR project to say, “it has been great to see what a positive impact it has had on our patients and their families”.

It’s time for another HTN news in brief – let’s take a look at some of the health tech stories to have caught our eye recently.

Research explores combination of MRI with machine learning for diagnosis of children’s brain tumours

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University, with Birmingham Children’s Hospital as the lead clinical centre, has suggested that the use of machine learning combined with MRI scanning has the potential to “rapidly reduce the current three – four week wait from presentation to full diagnosis”.

Findings are said to have validated previous research finding glutamate to be closely linked with tumour prognosis, with the research team suggesting that the use of machine learning to assess medulloblastomas for their signature metabolic profiles without requiring an invasive biopsy could potentially help in reducing diagnostic waiting times.

Dr Laura Danielson, children’s and young people’s research lead at Cancer Research UK said that the study “has identified a new way to distinguish between the four subgroups of medulloblastoma. This discovery paves the way for the development of  simple imaging tests that could quickly and accurately diagnose the different types of medulloblastoma.”

Living Lab in East Sussex promotes innovation to boost elderly wellbeing

A new ‘Living Lab’ has been established in East Sussex as a one-year pilot to explore how digital technology can support improved physical and mental wellbeing in elderly adults.

The lab, launched at a sheltered housing facility following the installation of an “interactive digital games table” offering residents the opportunity to engage in a range of physical and cognitive activities, is designed to integrate new research and innovative processes into real life communities and settings, and includes VR headsets featuring virtual experiences.

Outcomes from the pilot will be evaluated over the next 12 months by researchers from the University of Brighton, with results expected to help shape the local council’s approach to future adult social care services.

Online Mental Health Careers and Skills Framework launched in South East London 

Following two years of engagement with mental health services, the voluntary sector, NHS staff and service users, a new Mental Health Careers and Skills Framework has been launched in South East London to support effective workforce planning and recruitment.

With aims to develop the skills and capacity of the existing ICS workforce and to promote community mental health careers, the free online resource features a range of information and materials, intended to “reduce confusion and inconsistency across different roles in community mental health”, and to “provide greater clarity” on skills and qualifications needed to support workforce planning and “better integrated team working”.

Felicity Reed, people programme clinical and professional lead for innovation at South East London ICS, said: “To clearly describe the skills that are important to providing the help people need from community mental health services, we have worked collaboratively with individuals and organisations who truly understand the realities of working in this area to co-produce the Mental Health Careers and Skills Framework.”

SystmOne companion app extended to further 6 wards in Central and North West London

In Central and North West London, a SystmOne companion app has been extended to a further six wards at the St Charles Hospital, enabling staff to record patient information and observations, and to generate NEWS2 scores from a tablet device.

The Brigid app is now live in more than a quarter of wards in the region, with the aim of continuing its roll-out over the course of the year. To date, it has reportedly been found to save an average of 13 hours of clinical time per week for each ward, “reducing staff time spent at a computer in favour of more time with patients”.

The ICB shared that Brigid has also helped with the standardisation of documentation and with clinical audits, with staff members noting how useful it will be for overall time management.

Feedback invited on new Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust website

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has announced plans to launch a new website, with public engagement sessions to be held for staff, patients and members of the public to offer their thoughts on features and functions, the new website’s design, and how they find information they need.

The decision to launch a new site is based on “advances in web technology and best practice”, and the trust hopes to use the process as a way of reaching out to and serving people in the community “more effectively”.