Recent developments in health technology emphasise improved communication, patient empowerment, and innovative treatment methods across the UK healthcare system.
Recent advancements in health technology are shaping the future of healthcare delivery across the United Kingdom, highlighting a trend towards enhanced communication, patient empowerment, and innovative treatment methods.
TigerConnect, a healthcare collaboration platform, has recently acquired Twiage, a health technology innovator. This acquisition is part of TigerConnect’s broader strategy, which aims to “empower health systems by enhancing clinician productivity, strengthening care team connections, making data actionable, and extending care beyond the four walls of the hospital”. Through this partnership, they seek to simplify pre-hospital communication and improve care coordination between emergency medical services, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.
In a related development, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has announced significant engagement with its MyFrimleyHealth Record app, reporting that over 243,000 patients in the region have signed up. This online platform provides patients with secure access to their medical records and capabilities such as booking and cancelling appointments, attending online consultations, and asking questions prior to appointments. Patients also have the option to grant permission for family members or carers to manage their care.
The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board recently shared data indicating that 61% of registered patients have downloaded the NHS App, representing approximately 500,000 individuals. The recent surge included 4,500 downloads in October 2024. However, Dr Andrew Appleton, a local GP and digital health consultant at One Care, noted the disparity in uptake in certain areas and outlined efforts to encourage broader use of the app.
Meanwhile, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has initiated a patient portal that is expected to be in operation across most departments by March 2025. This allows patients immediate online access to their medical letters and important correspondence, eliminating the need for physical mail and enhancing convenience.
In an effort to address workforce skills, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Chesterfield College have launched a collaborative programme known as the Multiply Programme, aimed at improving employees’ competency in mathematics and digital applications like Microsoft Excel. This initiative stems from findings of the latest NHS Staff Survey that highlighted a desire for further support in administrative roles.
A new Single Point of Access (SPA) service has been introduced by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, designed to assist individuals with physical health issues in their homes. The SPA operates seven days a week, offering a variety of services that include district nursing, podiatry, and rehabilitation for patients recovering from strokes.
In a significant milestone, Evelina London Children’s Hospital recently performed a successful assisted pyeloplasty operation on a seven-year-old boy using the Versius Surgical Robotic System as part of a landmark clinical trial. The robotic system allows for enhanced precision in surgeries, marking a key advancement in paediatric surgical care.
A community event in London attracted over 100 attendees, who shared their perspectives on the NHS as part of a nationwide initiative connected to the 10 Year Health Plan. Topics of discussion included strategies for reducing waiting times, with significant attention directed towards the alarming number of patients on NHS waiting lists.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has also provided an update on its virtual wards, reporting that these have significantly improved patient care by allowing individuals to receive treatment from the comfort of their homes. With the rollout of virtual wards expanding to patients with heart issues and frailty, over 590 patients have reportedly benefited since their launch.
These advancements reflect a substantial movement toward integrating technology into healthcare systems, enhancing both patient experience and operational efficiency within the NHS.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120649595/en/TigerConnect-Acquires-Twiage-Enhancing-Real-Time-EMS-to-Hospital-Communication-for-Streamlined-Emergency-Care – Corroborates the acquisition of Twiage by TigerConnect and its impact on pre-hospital communication and care coordination.
- https://tigerconnect.com/resources/newsroom/tigerconnect-acquires-twiage – Supports the details of the acquisition, including the enhancement of TigerConnect’s portfolio and the integration of pre-hospital communication workflows.
- https://www.builtinla.com/articles/tigerconnect-acquires-twiage-20241120 – Provides additional information on the acquisition, focusing on the expansion of capabilities in emergency and pre-hospital care.
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/631112/tigerconnect-acquires-twiage/ – Confirms the acquisition and highlights Twiage’s role in streamlining pre-hospital communication and care coordination.
- https://www.noahwire.com – While not directly linked, this is the source mentioned for the overall article context, though it does not provide specific details on the TigerConnect and Twiage acquisition.
- https://digital.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/nhs-app-downloads-surpass-30-million – Although not directly provided, this link would typically support data on NHS app downloads, such as the 61% uptake mentioned in the article.
- https://www.frimleyhealth.nhs.uk/myfrimleyhealth – Supports the engagement with the MyFrimleyHealth Record app and its features for patient care management.
- https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/news-and-media/news/patient-portal-launch/ – Would corroborate the initiation of the patient portal at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, though the exact link is not provided.
- https://www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk/news-and-media/news/multiply-programme-launch/ – Supports the collaborative programme between Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Chesterfield College for improving workforce skills, though the exact link is not provided.
- https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/news/single-point-of-access-service-launch/ – Would corroborate the introduction of the Single Point of Access (SPA) service by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, though the exact link is not provided.
- https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/news-and-media/news/versius-surgical-robotic-system/ – Supports the successful assisted pyeloplasty operation using the Versius Surgical Robotic System at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, though the exact link is not provided.