New call for evidence as interim Technology Review is published

Health Education England (HEE) is calling for evidence from experts across the NHS and the technology sector to support the Topol Technology Review as the interim report is published today

This is a major independent review led by cardiologist, geneticist, and digital medicine researcher Dr Eric Topol facilitated by HEE. It was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health to help inform the work of the draft workforce strategy, Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future, A health and care workforce strategy for England to 2027.

The Interim Report proposes three key principles, which should govern the NHS’s future workforce strategy:

• Patients: If willing and able to do so, will be empowered by new tools to become more actively involved and engaged in their care.
• Evidence: The introduction of any technology must be grounded in robust research evidence with a fit for purpose and ethical governance framework that patients, public and staff can all trust.
• Gift of time: Whenever possible, the adoption of technology should be used to give more time for care, creating an environment in which the patient-clinician relationship is enhanced.

Dr Eric Topol, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Executive VP, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California said:

We desperately need innovation in healthcare. Artificial Intelligence is already in every aspect of our lives – from navigation to voice recognition – and will now be applied to healthcare, the next frontier.

Patrick Mitchell, Regional Director South of England, Health Education England & Lead Director for the Topol Review said:

The speed in which the digital age is upon us, provides the opportune time for the NHS to review its position with respect to the effect these new technologies and innovations are having now, and will have in the future for the provision of patient diagnosis, treatment, care.

More importantly the affect these changes will generate for the future that will help shape the training of our clinical workforce, to improve services for patients and help ensure a sustainable NHS.

Health Minister Steve Barclay MP said:

The NHS has been a trailblazer since its foundation. As we celebrate its achievements on its 70th birthday, it is vital that we also look ahead and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Dr Topol’s work will not only help cement the NHS’s place as a world-leader in innovation, but will also empower staff to make effective use of technology that will help free up time and improve quality of care for patients.

We want to hear from people with evidence and experience of introducing new technologies in healthcare, and healthcare workforce education and development, with a view to informing the Final Report, towards the end of 2018. Contributors are asked to visit https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/topol-review.