This Connected Health Ecosystem event was held in July 2019 and saw stakeholders from across the region gather to discuss the importance of ‘digital’ in healthcare.
Attendees heard from Health Innovation Manchester Chief Executive Professor Ben Bridgewater, and newly appointed Digital Innovation Lead Guy Lucchi, who both stressed the importance of ensuring that innovations were fit for purpose; that whilst there are exciting opportunities for industry and commissioners to work together to develop and deliver digital solutions, they must be aligned to population health need.
Digital tech provides the chance to accelerate delivery and deliver real value across the healthcare system – from streamlining processes, enhancing the patient journey, and reducing resource pressures. Demonstrating what works, and more importantly how parts of the system have come together to make it work, can influence and shape policy too. We also heard how GM has benefited from this approach in Frailty and Dementia care.
IEG 4 presented on their CHC2DST solution, providing an insight into trying to access the NHS through programmes such as the NHS National Innovation Accelerator programme, and support from the AHSN network. Delegates also discussed some important emerging trends such as Artificial Intelligence. Ecosystem members DAC Beachcroft LLP provided an overview of some of the emerging issues in AI and healthcare IT law, whilst Informed Solutions Technical Director Matthew Rix gave their take on deploying AI software in the NHS.
The promises and potential rewards of new digital innovations are manifest, but caution is required as we navigate through the interesting and potentially litigious legal and ethical landscape. Thank you to all our speakers and exhibitors.
The Ecosystem, which is coordinated by Digital Futures, plays an important role in bringing together key organisations and personnel in this area, creating a platform for sharing new and important policy developments, research, funding opportunities and innovations. To keep up-to-date with future Ecosystem events, news and opportunities, sign-up to our newsletter here.
The University of Manchester's wider Digital Futures network is highly interdisciplinary and operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research - connect with us and keep in touch: