Category: Warning: Undefined array key UK

A national analysis has found that more than 70% of reported NHS digital health technologies (DHTs) have no clinical safety assurance.

Source: https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/11/more-than-70-of-nhs-dhts-have-no-clinical-safety-assurance/

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Fundamentals of Care team have received a prestigious award at the Nursing Times Awards 2025, recognising their work to improve patient safety. The Fundamentals of Care team consists of specialist nurses and practitioners who play a crucial role in various aspects of patient care at Hampshire Hospitals, including falls prevention, continence management, and pressure ulcer prevention. They were selected as winners in the ‘continence care and promotion’ category at the national Nursing Times event, recognising the positive impact of their improvements to patient safety, particularly within continence management. The team’s award-winning work was praised by the judges for its impact in “promoting multidisciplinary working and collaboration, keeping dignity and continence outcomes central to the service”. They were particularly impressed by the measurable data presented on safety and sustainability, and “clear evidence of collaboration with patients and families”. Alongside proactive continence promotion, as part of the submission the team also demonstrated improved end-of-life continence care when recovery was not possible. The Nursing Times Awards shine a light on the brightest talent in the nursing profession, recognising teams and organisations making nursing innovative, patient-focused, and inclusive. This year, the Awards received more than 750 nominations, with just 25 winners selected by a panel of expert judges. Katie Mashingaidze, Nurse Consultant for Continence at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award, which highlights the hard work and commitment of everyone in the team, as well as the support we’ve received from our partners in primary and secondary care. The improvements made in continence care for stroke patients across our pathways has ultimately helped deliver safer patient care and improved outcomes, and we’re excited to build on this success to further improve our service.” The post Hampshire Hospitals team receive national nursing award for excellence in patient safety appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/hampshire-hospitals-team-receive-national-nursing-award-for-excellence-in-patient-safety/

The NHS doesn’t just need more hands on deck – it needs smarter ones. Patient wait lists remain high, staff are being pushed to exhaustion, and Unions are embroiled in escalating tensions with the Government over fair pay. The UK’s health service is searching for solutions that don’t require doubling its workforce or budget. Forget chatbots – AI agents in NHS systems are intelligent, decision-capable digital co-workers capable of supporting triage and health outcome predictions. While guidance has recently been published for NHS staff on implementing AI for general practice, there is only so much that can be achieved with the siloed, disconnected systems that are often in place. Joseph Kim, CEO at enterprise agentic AI platform, Druid AI, explains that in order to mitigate bottlenecks, boost efficiency, cut patient queues, and save time & money, NHS bodies need proactive AI systems that understand natural language, work across multiple platforms (like EPRs, HRIS, CRMs, or booking systems), and can carry out multi-step workflows from start to finish. Enter AI agents From patient booking platforms to HR and finance functions, virtual assistants are able to take on repeatable, logic-driven tasks at scale, round the clock. It’s not about replacing staff or handing over decision-making power to AI. AI agents work alongside staff, providing the breathing space necessary to access the information they need quickly, in order to make patient-driven decisions. With an estimated 36% of data globally being generated by healthcare services, the NHS needs to provide fully intuitive digital options to complement this trend in patient behaviour. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change research calculates that implementation of AI across navigation services alone could free up 29 million GP appointments annually across the UK, with resource gains for non-clinicians worth £340m a year. By connecting existing patient-facing platforms to a fully fledged AI agent capable of making real-time decisions, NHS services can reduce unnecessary appointment allocation, particularly when treatment or advice can be delivered remotely. Agentic AI also enables data to be centralised, removing the need to go back and forth between siloed data systems and allowing virtual healthcare assistants to handle appointment scheduling, referral prioritisation, and follow-ups all in one place. This doesn’t end with unifying application processes. Agentic AI can also calculate, determine and achieve multiple steps simultaneously, without needing to be queried repeatedly about every piece of information – streamlining both clinical and non-clinical workflows. Addressing patient security Understandably, NHS bodies – and indeed healthcare organisations globally – remain cautious in adopting new digital technologies due to fears that patient data can be lost or become insecure as it migrates to new infrastructure. However, agentic AI encrypts information that can be tailored to independently detect and monitor any sensitive data. Biometric security and role-based access control can be put in place to deny unauthorised access, while user permissions can be customised, allowing staff to access the data they require for day-to-day occupational duties based on organisational structure and job roles. These systems can seamlessly and securely integrate with clinical systems (such as EMIS or Epic), HR software, procurement tools and legacy databases. In addition to encrypting data, agentic AI platforms can add another layer of protection to cloud-based infrastructure – automatically patching and updating as the NHS infrastructure evolves. Smarter patient journeys Since its establishment in 1948, the NHS has had to evolve to stay on top of patient needs. But while treatments have advanced, service delivery has struggled to keep pace. AI agents can become fully immersed in the entire knowledge base at the NHS’s disposal, collating information and sharing it to respond to patient concerns quickly. A strong patient experience calls for clear and intuitive diagnoses and quick answers to concerns and queries. Combining agentic AI with generative AI models – a field of artificial intelligence on everyone’s lips – allows for more human-like responses. However, generative AI is still limited in flexibility, prone to errors, hallucinations and long-term bias. Agentic AI, by contrast, is deterministic and highly capable of guiding patients through an array of healthcare checkpoints. Disease prevention strategies, prescription management and appointment scheduling can be achieved in response to basic patient inquiries, while, in the background, simultaneously researching the correct, medically sound patient pathway to take. Symptom checking powered by agentic AI can provide thousands of individual, personalised initial assessments, far quicker than manual booking or triage systems. The ability to check symptoms more regularly, while waiting times are being reduced, can accelerate the discovery of any signs of potentially fatal illnesses that may otherwise worsen while patients are waiting to be seen. As this technology continues to evolve and integrate with tools like telemedicine platforms and wearable devices, it lays the foundation for a more proactive, always-on model of care, transforming the healthcare experience from reactive episodes to ongoing, data-driven support. Maintaining the human touch The use of healthcare agentic AI is to support staff, as well as patients. Virtual assistants can provide easy access to specific resources or suggest treatment based on the resources requested – not dissimilar to Google’s AI search tool, yet completely tailored to the NHS trust and based on approved healthcare practices. These tools can also enhance staff productivity and well-being. By providing frontline healthcare staff with access to verified and trusted knowledge bases, they reduce frustration, improve decision-making and allow clinical teams to focus on care delivery, not admin. Importantly, agentic AI is not designed to make systems completely robotic and devoid of the human touch. The ethical use of AI should be to inform and support the clinical decisions made by a human, not make the decisions for them. AI agents act as collaborative colleagues for the existing workforce to engage with, providing relevant options based on real-time, verified data, then deferring to human professionals to act on that insight. With an agentic AI system in place, the NHS can reduce operational strain, keep patient data secure, and support innovation in treatment delivery, all while saving time and money. The post Deploying AI Agents in the NHS is money well spent appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/deploying-ai-agents-in-the-nhs-is-money-well-spent/

People are more likely to open up about their health to artificial intelligence (AI) than to their doctors, per a new white paper from UK digital health company Aide Health. The report, “Building Patient Trust in AI,” reveals a striking contradiction at the heart of modern healthcare: while most people still feel uneasy about AI, many are more honest with it than with clinicians. In NHS primary care, Aide Health’s conversational platform found that 26% of asthma patients admitted to not taking their medication as prescribed – a figure far higher than typically reported in face-to-face consultations. The finding suggests that well-designed AI can uncover hidden health risks often missed in busy clinics.  Key Findings People are surprisingly open with AI. Patients disclosed sensitive information – including medication non-adherence – far more often to AI systems than to clinicians. Trust is complicated. While 48% of people are comfortable with AI identifying health risks through wearables, only 35% believe it improves care quality. Culture and experience matter. Levels of trust vary widely across communities, reflecting broader health inequalities rather than differences in AI performance. Design makes the difference. When AI systems feel non-judgemental, people report less fear of being criticised and are more willing to tell the truth about their health. This is based on data from Aide Health’s NHS programmes alongside analysis of peer-reviewed studies. Ian Wharton, Founder and CEO of Aide Health and author of the report, said: “Healthcare AI sits at the crossroads of trust and empathy. People trust technology to listen without judgment, but they still want to feel understood. Our research indicates we can design systems that do both – helping patients speak honestly while supporting clinicians to respond with compassion.”  Teaching AI when to listen and when to care To solve what Aide Health calls the “trust paradox”, the report introduces a new design principle called adaptive neutrality –  teaching AI when to be neutral and when to show empathy. In high-neutrality moments –  such as medication tracking or lifestyle monitoring – patients often prefer the calm, private space that AI provides. In low-neutrality moments – like diagnosis or treatment decisions – human empathy and connection remain essential. Wharton added: “AI should never replace a doctor. But when it’s designed to listen, guide and adapt, it can make every conversation between patient and clinician more meaningful.” Why this matters? Despite rapid growth in AI investment – projected to reach $148.4 billion by 2029 -60% of patients remain uneasy about its role in healthcare. With the NHS workforce gap expected to reach 360,000 by 2037 and nearly half of U.S. doctors reporting burnout, Aide Health argues that trustworthy AI could ease pressure on overstretched health systems, supporting both patients and clinicians. The paper also calls for clear standards around transparency, fairness and privacy in AI design: Patients must understand how their data is used and how it benefits them. Systems should be tested across diverse populations to ensure fairness. Interfaces must be simple, inclusive and accessible to all. “People often reveal more to AI than they expect, and less to clinicians than they intend,” said Wharton. “If we can design technology that respects that honesty, we can make care safer, more personalised and more human.” Aide Health is already applying its trust-centred design approach in new technologies. The company has just announced Mirror – the UK’s first AI-powered “medical memory” designed entirely for patients. The app discreetly listens during healthcare consultations and produces a plain-English summary that patients can revisit at any time, ensuring that vital medical advice isn’t forgotten the moment they leave the room. Research indicates up to 80% of medical advice is forgotten immediately, and nearly half of what’s remembered is inaccurate – confusion that costs the NHS an estimated £1 billion a year. The post People are more honest with AI than their doctors, new Aide Health report finds appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/people-are-more-honest-with-ai-than-their-doctors-new-aide-health-report-finds/

Running gives you freedom. Early morning miles before the world wakes up, evening stress relief after work, or weekend long runs that clear your head. But that freedom comes with real safety considerations that women need to think about. Physical injuries can sideline you for weeks. Medical emergencies can happen mid-run when you’re miles from help. Environmental risks and personal safety concerns are different for women than men, and pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone. The good news is that understanding risks and preparing properly lets you run confidently instead of fearfully. This guide covers everything from choosing gear that keeps you visible and comfortable to recognizing when that twinge in your knee needs professional attention. We’ll talk about medical emergencies you might face on the road, personal safety strategies that actually work, and how to balance caution with the joy of running. Understanding Common Running Injuries Your body takes a beating when you run. Every footstrike sends force up through your ankles, knees, and hips. Do that thousands of times per run, and eventually something’s going to complain. Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is incredibly common. It’s that achy pain around or behind your kneecap that gets worse going downstairs or after sitting for a while. Usually it comes from muscle imbalances, weak hips, or ramping up mileage too fast. Shin splints hurt along the front or inside of your lower leg. New runners get them a lot, especially when increasing speed or distance too quickly. The pain starts dull and gets sharper if you ignore it. Left untreated, shin splints can progress to stress fractures. IT band syndrome feels like a sharp pain on the outside of your knee. Your iliotibial band runs from your hip to your knee, and when it gets tight or inflamed, every step hurts. Hills and uneven surfaces make it worse. Most running injuries come from doing too much, too soon. Your cardiovascular system adapts faster than your bones, tendons, and ligaments. You feel great cardio-wise, so you add miles or speed. Meanwhile, your connective tissue is screaming for a break. Proper running form helps, but it’s not everything. Gradual progression is the real key. The 10% rule (don’t increase weekly mileage by more than 10%) exists for good reason. Cross-training, strength work, and rest days matter as much as the miles you log. When to Seek Orthopaedic Help Soreness is normal. Pain that changes how you run is not. Learning the difference keeps minor issues from becoming major problems. If pain persists for more than two weeks despite rest, ice, and backing off your training, see a specialist. If pain is sharp rather than dull, or if it’s getting worse instead of better, don’t wait. Limping, swelling that doesn’t go down, or pain that wakes you up at night all warrant professional evaluation. For persistent joint issues, biomechanical problems, or injuries that aren’t responding to conservative treatment, consulting an orthopaedic surgeon in Melbourne or your local area gives you access to advanced diagnostics and treatment options. Sometimes what feels like a simple muscle strain is actually a stress fracture or cartilage issue that needs imaging to diagnose properly. Prevention beats treatment every time. Incorporating strength training, especially for hips and glutes, stabilizes your joints and reduces injury risk. Foam rolling and mobility work help too, though they’re not magic bullets. Recognizing Medical Emergencies While Running There’s a difference between pushing through discomfort and ignoring danger signals. Most runners pride themselves on toughness, but sometimes your body is screaming “stop” for good reason. Chest pain, pressure, or tightness during a run is never normal, especially if it radiates to your arm, jaw, or back. Women’s heart attack symptoms often present differently than men’s. You might feel overwhelming fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, or back pain rather than classic chest pain. If something feels seriously wrong, stop running and get help immediately. Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping beats) can happen during hard efforts. Occasional palpitations might be harmless, but if they’re frequent, accompanied by dizziness, or don’t resolve when you slow down, that’s a red flag. Fainting or near-fainting during exercise always requires medical evaluation. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke kill runners every year. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, cold and clammy skin, nausea, and headache. You can usually recover by stopping, getting to shade, and rehydrating. Heat stroke is life-threatening. Symptoms include high body temperature (above 103°F), hot and dry skin (sweating has stopped), confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Heat stroke requires immediate emergency care. Dehydration sneaks up on you, especially on long runs. Early signs are thirst, dry mouth, and darker urine. Moderate dehydration brings dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and reduced urination. Severe dehydration causes extreme thirst, confusion, rapid breathing, and sunken eyes. On runs longer than an hour, carry water or plan routes with water fountains. Electrolyte drinks matter too, not just plain water. Know your body’s baseline. What’s normal for you? How do you usually feel at different effort levels? When something feels off, trust that instinct. Abdominal Pain: When It’s More Than a Side Stitch Side stitches are annoying but harmless. That sharp pain just under your ribs, usually on the right side, comes from diaphragm spasms or ligament strain. Slowing down, adjusting breathing, or pressing on the painful spot usually helps. They’re temporary and don’t indicate anything serious. But not all abdominal pain during running is a side stitch. Sharp, persistent pain that doesn’t improve with rest could signal something more serious. Women need to be especially alert to abdominal symptoms because they could indicate appendicitis, ovarian issues, or other emergencies. Appendicitis can strike at any age. Initial symptoms often include dull pain near the navel that moves to the lower right abdomen. The pain becomes sharp and constant. You might have nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and low fever. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, especially the characteristic lower right quadrant pain that worsens with movement or coughing, seek immediate medical attention. Understanding when abdominal pain requires appendicitis surgery in Singapore or wherever you’re located can be lifesaving, as a ruptured appendix is a serious medical emergency. Ovarian cysts can rupture during exercise, causing sudden, severe pain on one side of your lower abdomen. Ovarian torsion (when an ovary twists) presents similarly and is a surgical emergency. Ectopic pregnancy is another serious cause of abdominal pain in women of childbearing age. GI issues can also cause abdominal pain while running. Runner’s trots (exercise-induced diarrhea) are common and usually manageable with dietary adjustments. But persistent cramping, bloody stool, or severe pain warrant medical evaluation. Essential Running Footwear and Gear Your shoes are the most important piece of running equipment you’ll buy. Bad shoes cause injuries. Good shoes don’t guarantee you’ll stay injury-free, but they give you a fighting chance. Running shoes should fit with about a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the shoe’s end. Your feet swell during runs, so what feels perfect in the store might be tight at mile five. Try shoes on in the afternoon when your feet are slightly larger. Replace running shoes every 300 to 500 miles. Most runners go way too long. The cushioning breaks down even if the outside looks fine. Track your mileage and retire shoes before they’re completely dead. Rotating between two pairs extends the life of both and gives foam time to decompress between runs. Gait analysis at a specialty running store helps identify whether you overpronate, underpronate, or have a neutral stride. This determines which shoe type suits your biomechanics. Some runners need stability shoes, others do better in neutral cushioning. There’s no universal “best” shoe, only the best shoe for your feet. Sport-specific clothing matters more than you’d think. Cotton holds sweat and causes chafing. Technical fabrics wick moisture and dry fast. In cold weather, layering is crucial. A moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and wind-resistant outer shell keep you comfortable without overheating. In summer, lightweight, breathable fabrics and UV protection help. Sports bras deserve special attention. High-impact running requires serious support. A properly fitted sports bra reduces bounce, prevents tissue damage, and makes running comfortable. Get professionally fitted if possible, and replace sports bras when they lose elasticity. Visibility and Safety Gear Running in low light is sometimes unavoidable. Early morning or evening runs fit busy schedules, but they come with visibility risks. Drivers don’t expect runners, and you’re nearly invisible in the dark. Reflective clothing is non-negotiable for dawn or dusk runs. Vests, jackets, and accessories with reflective strips make you visible from hundreds of feet away. Position reflective gear on moving parts (arms and legs) so drivers notice the motion. Quality performance gear combines functionality with safety features. Investing in reliable athletic wear from brands like Under Armour’s gym wear for women ensures you’re getting technical fabrics with reflective details built in, plus proper fit and durability for serious training. Wearable lights add another layer of safety. Clip-on LED lights, headlamps, and light-up armbands make you visible from all angles. Some runners use front and rear lights like cyclists. Overkill? Maybe. But being annoying and visible beats being invisible and hit by a car. Bright colors help during daylight too. Neon yellow, orange, and pink stand out against roads and trails. Save the all-black outfit for the gym. Technology and Safety Tools Your phone is your most important safety tool. Running apps like Strava, RunKeeper, or MapMyRun let you share your location in real time with trusted contacts. Family or friends can see exactly where you are during your run. Some apps have built-in safety features. Strava Beacon shares your live location with up to three contacts. RoadID’s app detects crashes and sends emergency alerts with your location. Environmental Safety: Routes and Timing Route selection matters as much as what you wear. Well-lit, populated areas are safer than isolated trails, especially when running alone. Parks with regular foot traffic, neighborhood loops, and running paths near businesses give you options if something goes wrong. Vary your routes and schedules. Predictability makes you a target. If you always run the same loop at 6 AM, someone watching could anticipate your patterns. Mix up your timing, direction, and distance. Running with partners or groups dramatically improves safety. Local running clubs exist in most cities, and many organize women-only runs. You get accountability, company, and safety in numbers. If group runs don’t fit your schedule, even coordinating with one friend makes a difference. Trust your instincts. If a street, trail, or person feels off, change your route. Don’t worry about being rude or paranoid. Your safety matters more than someone’s feelings. Situational Awareness and Personal Safety Headphones are a double-edged sword. Music motivates and passes time, but it also blocks important sounds like approaching cars, bikes, or people. If you must use headphones, keep volume low, use only one earbud, or try bone conduction headphones that leave your ear canals open. Carry pepper spray or a personal alarm if it makes you feel safer. Keep pepper spray accessible, not buried in a pocket. Practice using it so you’re not fumbling during an emergency. Personal alarms emit 120+ decibel shrieks that attract attention and disorient attackers. If someone makes you uncomfortable, cross the street, head toward populated areas, or duck into a business. If you’re being followed, don’t go home. Go somewhere public and call for help. Tell someone where you’re running and when you expect to be back. Even a quick text with your route gives people information if you don’t return on time. Recovery, Self-Care, and Confidence Running is demanding, so recovery isn’t optional. Rest days rebuild muscles stronger than before. Sleep is when your body repairs damage from training. Skimp on either and you’re setting yourself up for injury or burnout. Nutrition fuels performance and recovery. Protein repairs muscle tissue. Carbohydrates replenish energy stores. Healthy fats support hormone function. Hydration affects everything from performance to injury risk. Mental health benefits from running are real. Endorphins improve mood. Accomplishing goals builds confidence. Time outdoors reduces stress. Regular exercise helps with anxiety and depression. Confidence itself becomes a safety factor. Women who move with purpose and awareness project less vulnerability. Self-care practices that make you feel good contribute to that confidence. Whether it’s treating yourself to professional services like teeth whitening in Melbourne or investing in quality running gear, taking care of your appearance and wellbeing reinforces the mindset that you deserve to take up space and pursue your goals without apology. Conclusion Running should feel empowering, not frightening. Understanding risks and preparing for them lets you focus on the road ahead instead of constantly looking over your shoulder. Recognize when pain needs professional attention. Know the difference between pushing yourself and ignoring danger signals. Invest in gear that keeps you visible and comfortable. Use technology and buddy systems to your advantage. Choose routes strategically and stay aware of your surroundings. Safety and freedom aren’t opposites. Being prepared gives you more freedom, not less. You can run early, push your pace, explore new routes, and chase your goals while still being smart about how you do it. The running community is full of women who’ve figured this out. Connect with them. Share strategies. Support each other. Running is better together, and it’s definitely safer. Lace up, stay smart, and get out there. The post Women’s Running Safety: From Choosing the Right Gear to Recognizing Medical Emergencies appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/womens-running-safety-from-choosing-the-right-gear-to-recognizing-medical-emergencies/

New laws have been introduced in Parliament to help protect the NHS and other sectors from the threat of cyber attacks.

Source: https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/11/cyber-security-bill-introduced-to-parliament-to-help-protect-nhs/

Synectics to showcase real-world NHS security innovation at NAHS Synectics, a leader in advanced security and surveillance solutions, will use this year’s National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS) Conference to demonstrate how hospitals are using integrated data and AI-driven analytics to improve safety, incident response, and operational awareness across complex NHS estates. Building on recent projects with NHS Foundation Trusts, Synectics will showcase its Synergy platform, including the award-winning Synergy DETECT AI-powered analytics suite. Solving everyday security challenges in healthcare Hospitals face a unique mix of pressures, including constant public access, high-risk clinical areas, and 24-hour operations across dispersed sites. Many also rely on legacy systems that make coordination difficult. Synectics’ approach enables healthcare providers to connect CCTV, access control, and alarm infrastructure into a single management platform, creating a complete view of activity across facilities, car parks, and service areas. From the control room, teams can dispatch officers directly via the Synergy mobile app, providing them with live video, incident details, and clear task instructions. In practice, this enables a quicker response to safeguarding concerns, missing patients, or violent incidents, with a complete audit trail of the incident through to resolution. Synergy DETECT adds an AI layer that automatically alerts users to developing risks, such as overcrowding in waiting areas, unauthorised access to restricted wards, missing PPE, or vehicles blocking ambulance bays. These real-time insights enable hospitals to take action before issues escalate, thereby easing the burden on overstretched teams and enhancing compliance with health and safety standards. Proven results across NHS sites A recent deployment of Synergy for a large NHS Foundation Trust shortlisted for the NAHS Security Innovation Award 2025, demonstrates the benefits of this integrated approach. The project delivered situational awareness across multiple hospital sites, enabling real-time coordination between the control room and mobile officers while preserving the existing infrastructure. By introducing secure cloud evidence storage and task management tools, the system has also simplified audit processes and improved cross-departmental collaboration on incidents and security issues, outcomes that are increasingly important as hospitals face tighter budgets and greater scrutiny around robust threat detection and response protocols. Helping hospitals protect their systems and data Cyber resilience is also a core requirement in healthcare environments. Synergy’s architecture incorporates encryption, access controls, and secure data pathways to protect surveillance systems and recorded evidence from unauthorised access. Together with privacy tools, such as facial redaction and blurring, this ensures that patient information and operational data remain safeguarded in line with NHS Digital and NCSC guidance. Demonstrations and resources available at NAHS 2025 Throughout the show, Synectics will be running live Synergy demonstrations, including how its mobile app, remote access functionality, and Synergy DETECT enhance hospital safety and security. Delegates can also pick up a free copy of the company’s guide to Healthcare Security Best Practices. This provides actionable strategies for modern healthcare challenges, highlighting the solutions available to hospitals to help them detect risks faster, optimise emergency responses, enhance patient care, and protect sensitive data, all while ensuring regulatory compliance. The post Synectics to showcase real-world NHS security innovation at NAHS appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/synectics-to-showcase-real-world-nhs-security-innovation-at-nahs/

A partnership of some of the city’s most influential organisations has today announced the launch of a new £2 million Health Innovation Leeds Incubator, a collaborative initiative designed to accelerate growth of healthtech businesses in the region and beyond. Unveiled by the Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr James Lewis, at the West Yorkshire Health Tech Cluster’s “Driving the Future of Innovation” event, the Incubator will help supercharge the region’s vibrant and fast-growing healthtech sector, cementing Leeds’ status as a top health innovation hub. The new Incubator is funded by the West Yorkshire Healthtech Investment Zone, and led by Nexus at the University of Leeds together with Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, working closely with Leeds City Council. Innovators supported by the Health Innovation Leeds Incubator will benefit from expertise across the region’s flagship innovation assets – including the University of Leeds’ £40m global innovation community, Nexus, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s pioneering Innovation Pop Up, and the new Sports Health Tech Incubator at Leeds Beckett University. Businesses joining the Incubator will gain tailored support to address barriers to growth, access expertise covering the entire innovation journey from prototype to market and tap into one of the UK’s strongest industry networks. Unlike traditional incubator models, the initiative welcomes companies of all sizes, with a focus on supporting local and regional start-ups and SMEs. Leeds is already one of the top three global locations for healthtech companies, at the heart of a region which is home to one third of all UK healthtech businesses. The local tech sector is expanding at a rate 125% above the national average, with AI job growth outpacing London. Unparalleled partnerships underpin the city’s internationally-renowned ecosystem – represented by Health Innovation Leeds – which brings together world-class academic research, an outstanding healthtech industry cluster and a single, cohesive health and care partnership. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Backed by our £160 million investment zone, our healthtech ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the UK, with Leeds a global leader. “With huge ambition for our regional economy, we want to untangle the challenges that innovators face, so they can contribute to our vision of a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.” “This multimillion-pound incubator will offer bespoke support to more rapidly convert scientific research into tangible solutions for the NHS, creating well-paid jobs and better patient care for all.” Health Innovation Leeds is supported by Leeds Academic Health Partnership, one of the biggest of its kind in the UK. Partnership Director, Kate Lodge, said: “When it comes to health innovation, Leeds is setting the pace and shaping the future. This is the city where breakthroughs are born, ideas are tested at speed, and where bold partnerships support businesses to start, scale and go global thanks to standout support. “The new Health Innovation Leeds Incubator is an exciting example of this powerful collaboration in action, combining expertise from leading universities and one of the country’s biggest teaching hospitals. Leeds is already a top city for start-ups and scale-ups, and this new initiative will give even more businesses the bespoke support they need to grow. If you’re a healthtech company ready to unlock the next step in your business journey, Leeds is invested in your success. Register your interest and join us as, together, we transform health and care for everyone.” From helping entrepreneurs access apprenticeships and local talent to guiding scale-ups into national and international markets, the Health Innovation Leeds Incubator will connect innovators with the right people, programs, and expertise at every stage. Support includes tailored pathways to regional resources and accelerator initiatives such as Propel Healthtech, ensuring that Leeds remains the UK’s top city for nurturing business growth and making tomorrow’s healthcare possible today. Register your interest at healthinnovationleeds.com and be the first to hear more, including details of an innovator information event in early 2026. The post Mayor Celebrates £2M Health Innovation Leeds Incubator Set to Boost Regional Business Growth appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/mayor-celebrates-2m-health-innovation-leeds-incubator-set-to-boost-regional-business-growth/

By Afshin Attari, Senior Director of Public Sector at Exponential-e The level of legacy debt varies widely across the NHS. A recent report from the Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSIT) has revealed that legacy technology can range from as little as 10% to as much as 60-70%. This reliance on outdated systems presents a significant cybersecurity challenge, heightened by the fact that 15% of surveyed organisations could not estimate the size of their legacy estate. The report also highlights that these systems are high-risk, prone to security vulnerabilities, lack support, and are subject to operational failures. The issue? Many NHS organisations struggle with a clear view of their legacy applications and systems. Without this visibility they are challenged to understand and manage the systems which are often critical to their daily operations. In the absence of proper documentation and oversight, it’s impossible to effectively secure these systems and they remain exposed to cyber threats. To truly address security issues in legacy systems the correct foundation should be laid, and the right expertise needs to be on hand to support. Why mapping is essential Legacy applications serve essential roles, but their age and complexity make them vulnerable to security risks. Legacy assets and applications are also often large scale and mission critical. They are difficult to modernise due to long term data retention and they are difficult to migrate notably to Public Cloud environments. To do so, requires incumbent knowledge of that legacy platform and it relies on working out how you get the data exfiltrated from that environment and transferred to a new platform. Many organisations face challenges when dealing with legacy systems, particularly in highly regulated industries like healthcare. The sector depends heavily on legacy infrastructure that has been built up over decades, making upgrades and migrations even more complex. Often, these systems are deeply integrated with other critical applications, meaning that any disruption or attempted migration must be carefully planned to avoid service interruptions or data loss. Additionally, compliance requirements further complicate modernisation efforts, as organisations must ensure that any changes align with industry regulations and security frameworks. Knowledge and documentation are the first step to securing legacy systems. If you don’t know what you have, you can’t secure it. A foundational mapping exercise is crucial for establishing a baseline of assets and ensuring the identification of what needs to be secured. Having sight of all legacy systems within the organisation allows health authorities to do their governance and supply chain risk analysis. From here they can make sure that they have supply chain security and that assets are properly patched and meeting Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification. This is the best practice for securing legacy applications, offering insights into strategies for modernising infrastructure while maintaining compliance with necessary security standards. Once authorities have mapped their systems, they can prioritise which legacy assets to update and which to continue managing, securely. Developing a roadmap for modernisation can help organisations transition from outdated technology to more secure and efficient solutions, reducing long-term risks while maintaining operational integrity. By taking a strategic approach, organisations can ensure that legacy applications remain functional, secure, and compliant with evolving regulatory requirements. Mitigating risk and securing legacy systems The next step is to put security measures in place that protect these systems from cyber threats. Replacing legacy infrastructure isn’t always possible, so organisations must find ways to strengthen their existing environment by implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and training staff to recognise potential risks. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) services can help safeguard legacy systems by continuously monitoring traffic flows and flagging abnormalities that may indicate a cyber threat by continuously monitoring traffic flows and flagging abnormalities that may indicate a cyber threat. This enables healthcare organisations to detect suspicious activity in real-time, create security rules to combat any deviations and reduce the risk of breaches. SIEM solutions also offer log analysis, threat intelligence integration, and automated responses to minimise the impact of an attack, ensuring that legacy applications remain protected even as cyber threats evolve. However, the effectiveness of SIEM relies on working with partners that not only offer monitoring tools but also understand the complexities of legacy systems, ensuring that security solutions are tailored to the unique challenges posed by outdated infrastructure. It’s essential for healthcare organisations to partner with technology companies, who can integrate these solutions into existing environments while ensuring compliance with the recent security standards. This level of expert assistance can also help healthcare organisations to assess and develop security processes, strengthen postures, and educate staff. With the right support, the NHS can safeguard critical systems without compromising operational efficiency or patient care. Compromise in security will undoubtedly lead to breaches. As we see a rise in sophisticated threats to healthcare organisations in a heightened geopolitical environment, knowledge is the first step to action. Every NHS organisation must now work to proactively assess and secure legacy applications to protect sensitive data and systems from breaches moving forward. The post Knowledge is the first step to action: the importance of knowing your legacy systems appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/knowledge-is-the-first-step-to-action-the-importance-of-knowing-your-legacy-systems/

More than 100 GP practices in Wales are now able to use a digital service that makes the prescribing process easier and safer for patients and healthcare staff. A total of 122 practices – a third of those in Wales – are able to send prescriptions electronically to the community pharmacy or dispenser of a patient’s choice, without the need for a paper form. In addition, 525 pharmacies – more than three quarters – are able to receive prescriptions digitally. The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is being rolled out across Wales as part of a digital transformation in medicines management. Speaking at the Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales conference in Cardiff recently, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said that the programme’s success represented ‘a major step forward in healthcare digitalisation’. Roath House Surgery in Cardiff went live with EPS in June, with staff seeing benefits such as greater efficiency and a reduction in the amount of paper printed. The practice is based in Penylan, with a branch surgery in Park Place. Practice pharmacist Gethin Morgan said: “There is definitely far less paperwork with EPS. A big benefit is that prescriptions are easier to track and, if we need to amend anything or if a patient lives further away, we can just talk to them on the phone and resolve issues without them needing to come to the surgery. “For us, requesting nominations via EPS is also a benefit. We have a lot of historic nominations, with our student population moving between home and university, and EPS makes this easier to manage.” Office manager Michelle Brewerton said: “We have been educating patients that it’s a safer way of managing prescriptions and that the tracker means there is less likelihood of prescriptions going missing. We’re also encouraging as many patients as possible to download the NHS Wales App, so they can order repeat prescriptions without needing to come into the surgery. They can also see their appointments in the App and cancel if they need to.” Jenny Pugh-Jones, EPS lead for Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), said: “I’m delighted to reach yet another very significant milestone in the roll out of EPS across Wales. With a third of GP practices and more than 75% of community pharmacies now able to provide EPS in Wales, this progress is making a real difference to prescribers and bringing benefits to patients. “This achievement is testament to the hard work of surgery staff, community pharmacies and the DHCW team, and I look forward to the service being implemented at more GP practices and pharmacies in the coming months.” EPS is a key part of the Digital Medicines national transformation programme, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW). The service is available in communities in every health board and is being rolled out across Wales as quickly and safely as possible. EPS is free and patient data is secure. Patients who want to sign up do not need to go online or use a laptop or smartphone. They simply tell staff at their GP practice or chosen pharmacy or dispenser that they would like to use the service, and staff do the rest. To find out more visit https://dhcw.nhs.wales/eps The post More than 100 GP practices in Wales now using the Electronic Prescription Service appeared first on Digital Health Technology News.

Source: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/more-than-100-gp-practices-in-wales-now-using-the-electronic-prescription-service/