An independent review into the training needs of NHS staff to use artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics has been launched by the government.
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the review will be led by Dr Eric Topol, an expert in cardiology, genetics and digital medicine.
Dr Topol will look at opportunities where the NHS could invest in training for its tens of thousands of members of staff.
He will also consider the implications on the skills required of future healthcare professionals.
As part of the review, Dr Topol will visit Moorfields Eye Hospital, which is looking at how machine learning technology could help analyse eye scans.
Dr Topol said: “While it’s hard to predict the future, we know artificial intelligence, digital medicine and genomics will have an enormous impact for improving the efficiency and precision in healthcare.
“Our review will focus on the extraordinary opportunities to leverage these technologies for the healthcare workforce and power a sustainable and vibrant NHS.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, welcomed the review, which he said would ensure “the NHS is at the forefront of life-saving, life-changing care across the globe for decades to come”.
Following the announcement of the review, Stephen Barclay, minister of state for Health and Social Care, wrote a column for Digital Health News.
Barclay said his department needed to make sure “NHS staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to unleash the full, transformative potential” of new technology.
He added: “Dr Topol’s review, which we believe is the first of its kind in the world, will help us answer that challenge in a definitive way. In its 70th year, it is part of our commitment to make sure that the NHS is “future-fit” and ready to embrace the technological revolution now underway across the medical world.”
11 May 2018 @ 16:41
I have been exploring this area for roughly two weeks now and this is really the first blog that absolutely makes sense. Why is it so difficult to gather good advice dealing with security today? Definitely respect the energy you spent placing your concepts in to words so first-timers just like myself will be able to take a step. Maybe there is a part 2 on your blog? Thank you again!
8 May 2018 @ 15:02
AI and robotics are great and have lots of potential, but the NHS hasn’t even got the basic foundations in yet to enable us to exploit these new technologies.
If we want to make the most of these things we need to open up systems and liberate the data. This requires some work on the information infrastructure.
At a recent event Dr Simon Eccels the NHS CCIO said he was going to try and persuade Ministers that it was not about “the shinny things” – Oh well a good try!
9 May 2018 @ 07:42
I disagree. Just because not all hospitals operate at the same level of digital maturity doesn’t mean to say that some hospitals who are already can’t start to evaluate the potential of these technologies. Robotics is already being successfully used in operating theatres, as well as logistical support in pharmacies and hotel services. It’s not a binary choice (excuse the pun).