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Innovative IT software designed to tackle waiting lists and reduce discharge delays has been rolled out across more than two thirds of the NHS. The NHS Federated Data Platform securely brings together data currently held in separate systems, making it easier for staff to access key information so they can provide quicker and more joined-up care for millions of patients across the country. A year since its introduction, 87 NHS acute hospital trusts and 28 integrated care boards in England have signed up so far. The platform brings together real-time data, such as the number of beds in hospital, the size of elective waiting lists, staff rosters, the availability of medical supplies and social care places so staff can then plan their resources better. New data published today show hospital trusts using the NHS Federated Data Platform have each treated on average 114 more inpatients in theatres every month since introducing the tool.
The platform has come as part of the NHS’ plan to reform patient care and provide maximum value for taxpayers, with figures showing new initiatives to boost productivity have helped the NHS save £2 billion in the first 5 months of this financial year to be reinvested into patient care.
Read more: Millions of patients benefitting from improved care as new NHS IT software rolled out
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Actions before and after the actual surgery in theatres will impact on theatre productivity. Inefficiencies already identified pre-Covid were amplified during the pandemic. Ensuring hospitals reset their surgical pathways and processes, while maintaining capacity to teach and train, is vital to improve theatre productivity and efficiency. It will enable more efficient use of the sessions we can currently staff and run and will provide a firm base on which to increase our estate usage.
Improvements to theatre productivity require a full team effort and should not be seen as the sole responsibility of theatres. Input and action are required across the surgical and perioperative pathways and providers should ensure this work is taken forward by relevant teams working collaboratively and in an aligned way with dedicated clinical ownership and executive support. Improving productivity means delivering as much clinical value for patients as possible with the resources we have, while maintaining safety and improving staff engagement and morale. A whole provider approach is needed with all clinical, operational and theatre teams considering how the elements within their control contribute to the overall value of surgical services and care.
Read more: The Theatres, surgery and perioperative care clinical and operational improvement guide
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The NHS is trialling blood pressure checks at dentist and optometry appointments to help find people at hidden risks of stroke or heart attacks.
The scheme which will be up and running in the coming months follows the success of NHS community pharmacy blood pressure checks, which has delivered more than a million checks in the last year and allows people to keep on top of their risk of cardiovascular disease without the need for an appointment.
As high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, it is estimated that 4.2 million people in England have the condition without knowing it. If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of stroke, heart attacks, kidney disease and vascular dementia. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a blood pressure test.
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The MHRA has set out its strategic approach to AI in response to a white paper published in 2023 by Government. This pilot project is a key part of that approach. It will help the Agency to identify and address the challenges for regulating standalone AI medical devices (AIaMD), initially seeking out and supporting 4-6 virtual or real-world projects through simulation. This will allow us to test a range of regulatory issues for these devices when they are used for direct clinical purposes within the NHS.
The regulatory sandbox model is a recognised mechanism to help address novel regulatory challenges across sectors. The AI Airlock is a world-leading version in healthcare, designed to assist in safe development and deployment of AIaMDs, and this project will follow that robust process so manufacturers can deliver what is required to ensure the real-world viability of these devices.
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NHS patients in England will benefit from faster access to the most innovative and cutting-edge medical technologies under new plans.
Proposals set out in a joint NHS England and NICE consultation outline a new route for MedTech developers to access NHS funding to fast-track clinically and cost-effective products for use by the healthcare system. The plans will ensure the growing number of game-changing products recommended by NICE can be introduced to the NHS on a large-scale to improve patient outcomes.
The proposals in the consultation document have been developed by NHS England and NICE with input from the Department of Health and Social Care and other partners, including the Office for Life Science (OLS) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Read more: NHS and NICE plan to adopt innovative MedTech quicker
