Health service gets £200m digital upgrade

7 Sep 18

The NHS will be allocated £200m to expand its digital capabilities, the health secretary has announced.

The funding will help set up more Global Digital Exemplars which aim to deliver exceptional care with the use of cutting-edge digital technology.

In a speech on Thursday, Matt Hancock, the health and social care secretary, urged health service chiefs to take full advantage of digital innovation.

He said: “Now is the moment to put failures of the past behind us, and set our sights on the NHS being the most cutting-edge system in the world for the use of technology to improve our health, make our lives easier, and make money go further, harnessing the amazing explosion of innovation that the connection of billions of minds through digital technology has brought this world.

“We need to equip staff all across the NHS with the right skills to constantly innovate and continuously realise the benefits that technology will provide.”

Separately, Hancock announced on Friday that the government will give more than £145m to NHS trusts across the country to prepare for winter healthcare demands.

The money will go towards upgrading wards, redeveloping A&E departments, improving same-day emergency care, improving bed management, and providing an extra 900 beds.

Hancock said: “Staff put in a huge amount of work preparing our health service for the challenge of treating more patients over winter and it’s right that we make sure they have the resources they need so people receive the care they deserve.”

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