Healthcare and NHS IT
IT is becoming increasingly critical for healthcare delivery. Vital initiatives such as electronic medical records, patient administration systems and telehealth are receiving growing investment in the NHS and elsewhere. Key technologies such as mobile, tablets and cloud are also essential for improving the healthcare industry with digital healthcare technology. Read the latest news about NHS IT and find resources on the broader world of healthcare IT with the news, case studies and advice in this topic section.
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News
25 Sep 2025
Netherlands establishes cyber resilience network to strengthen public-private digital defence
Network will connect organisations in a cyber crime defence initiative that goes way beyond information sharing Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2025
Quantum startups fear EU too slow to lead
Europe’s bid to win the race to build viable quantum computers wants details, money and confidence of the industry it is intended to serve Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Dec 2018
Manchester’s evolution from rag trade to digital hub
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we visit Manchester to examine the city’s expanding digital and e-commerce industry and find out the key to tech sector growth in the former home of the UK rag trade. We look at the challenges of IT security in the quantum computing age. And we talk to Bloomberg’s CTO about tech innovation, machine learning and blockchain. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2018
Large disparity in NHS cyber skills and training spend
Despite government pledges to up cyber security spending across the NHS, there are still huge disparities in cyber security skills and spending on cyber security training, FoI requests reveal Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Dec 2018
Airwave goodbye, hello ESN
The government recently announced plans that – despite facing delays and setbacks – a new Emergency Services Network (ESN) will be phased in from the beginning of 2019. It will replace the legacy ... Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2018
Finnish government announces research and development ecosystem
Finland has launched an innovation ecosystem that will support IoT and AI developers amongst others Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Dec 2018
Douglas Engelbart, the forgotten hero of modern computing
Half a century ago, Douglas Engelbart demonstrated an experimental computer that laid the foundations for modern computing. His vision to use computing power to solve complex problems in all areas of human activity has become reality, but not in the way that he imagined Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2018
UK genome sequencing project reaches 100,000 genomes goal
Health secretary hails scheme’s progress as “a major milestone in the route to the healthcare of the future” Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2018
Software failure paralyses O2’s 4G network
O2 is racing to fix a major outage on its 4G network that has left millions of mobile subscribers without access to data services Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2018
Australia races towards commercial quantum computing
Universities make headway in the challenge of commercialising quantum computing Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2018
NHS email outage caused by ‘internal software issues’
NHSmail system shutdown, which saw staff locked out of their accounts, blamed on “software issues” in supplier Accenture’s internal infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
APAC healthcare providers reaping digital transformation returns
Digital transformation could potentially double the improvements in integrated care by 2020, study finds Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Nov 2018
Agile becomes mainstream
There are clear parallels between the conditions that led the IT industry to adopt agile approaches and the challenges facing business today Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2018
Danish government launches wide-ranging digital services project
Denmark's government has launched an ambitious project to digitise and automate public services Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2018
Health and care must prepare for a digital world, says Scotland’s digital director
Challenges include dealing with ethical questions, data and collaboration needs in a digital environment, says Scottish government’s Colin Cook Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2018
Scottish Government and Nesta launch health data challenge
Partnership between the Scottish Government and Nesta will see funding available for innovative projects driving the use of technology to give citizens access to data and help them live healthier lives Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Nov 2018
More effective digital transformation through the power of your own people
The old model of escalating decisions up and down the management chain does not work any more. Business leaders need to delegate responsibility for projects to business and technology specialists and eliminate the fear of failure Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2018
NHS policy leaders: value AI but get the basics right
NHS doctors and policy chiefs said at the Westminster Health Forum that artificial intelligence has untapped value for healthcare, but needs to be underpinned with discipline Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2018
TechUK calls on Matt Hancock to fast-track NHS digitisation
The tech industry body’s ‘Manifesto for Matt’ calls on the health secretary to focus on empowering citizens, enabling a world-class workforce and making the UK the number one place for health tech innovation Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Nov 2018
IBM pushes boundaries of AI, but insists companies take an ethical approach
Researchers at IBM are pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence and machine learning can do, but remain wary of the ethical implications that accompany the proliferation of this technology Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2018
Citizens don’t want the NHS to prioritise digital health, report finds
The UK public want the NHS to focus spending on cancer care, staff and mental health, and rank digital access to services lowest on their list of priorities Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2018
CIO interview: Graham Evans, CITO, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s chief information and technology officer talks about joining up health and care, the importance of keeping up to date with technology, and why trying to deliver perfection won’t work Continue Reading
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E-Zine
20 Nov 2018
How the Science Museum is moving to the digital age
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how London’s Science Museum is dealing with legacy IT to move into the age of digital and data. We examine Nationwide Building Society’s move to cloud and DevOps to transform its operations. And we look at how technologies such as machine learning and blockchain are helping to automate global supply chains. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2018
Securing the SD-WAN: The next network challenge
Every time an enterprise weighs up whether or not to try SD-WAN, security is an essential part of the picture Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2018
Non-invasive, AI-powered cardiac test spreads through NHS with help of government funding
A cardiac test powered by artificial intelligence has the potential to save the UK’s health service hundreds of pounds per heart patient Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2018
5G will unleash digital transformation for UK enterprises
Mobile operator EE is working hand-in-hand with its largest enterprise customers to realise the potential of its future 5G mobile network Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
NHS issues guidance for instant messaging use in acute settings
As NHS staff are increasingly turning to messaging apps to communicate with each other, the government issues guidance saying only tools meeting the NHS encryption standard should be used Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Nov 2018
The public sector culture issue
Despite senior government and public sector officials often banging on about the importance of transparency and openness, in reality, it’s almost a cultural taboo for civil servants or anyone else ... Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Welsh NHS IT programme is ‘outdated’ and could put patients at risk, report finds
Welsh Public Accounts Committee is concerned the country’s outdated NHS IT systems are putting patients at risk, and found the culture at NHS Wales Informatics Service is the ‘antithesis of open’ Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital has capacity to spare after HSCN upgrade
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is unleashing the potential of digital for health after fixing up its internet connectivity with an upgrade to the new Health and Social Care Network Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2018
BEIS to fund five healthcare AI innovation centres
Five healthcare innovation centres will receive a total of £50m in funding to use artificial intelligence to improve diagnosis and treatment of diseases Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2018
Automation and CSR are driving reskilling process for UK plc, says Cisco
UK business leaders are planning to make dramatic changes to their organisations between now and 2020, according to a new report from Cisco Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2018
NHS to use predictive tech to prevent illnesses
Health secretary Matt Hancock wants to use technology to predict disease and stop people falling ill, with AI and genomics having the ‘potential to change everything’ Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
IoT R&D projects missed out on £10m of government funding
A series of delays and disruption caused chiefly by changes in project ownership meant the government’s IoT UK Research and Innovation Programme failed to use a quarter of its allocated budget between 2015 and 2018 Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2018
Budget 2018: No great leap forward for broadband, but no need to panic
The chancellor set aside £1.6bn for digital technology in the Budget, but broadband services did not draw much attention. Is this a surprise, or a reflection of growing commercial investment in full-fibre, and what should the role of government be? Continue Reading
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30 Oct 2018
Interview: Matt Hancock, secretary of state for health and social care, on his NHS ‘tech vision’
Matt Hancock brings rare digital experience to running the NHS and social care systems, but can he overcome the legacy of past health service technology failures? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
30 Oct 2018
Power struggle: A row is brewing over EU plans to curb datacentre energy use
In this week’s Computer Weekly, a row is brewing over an EU plan to curb datacentre energy use, and the leading server suppliers are not happy - we analyse the details. Secretary of state for health and social care Matt Hancock talks exclusively to us about his new technology vision for the NHS. And we examine the growing popularity of short-term “gig” employment for IT professionals. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
O2 extends rural 4G network to 339 communities
O2 has extended its rural network roll-out, targeting over 300 small communities all over the UK Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
Philips looks to artificial intelligence to train its workforce
Healthcare company is looking to AI, chatbots and learning playlists to help staff learn new skills more quickly as it adapts changing business priorities Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2018
Firms will use AI to automate HR processes within two years
Companies are gearing up to automate HR processes with artificial intelligence and machine learning, while at the same time battling with outdated IT systems Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2018
CityFibre backers pump £2.5bn into full-fibre broadband
Network expansion will add 27 towns and cities to CityFibre’s current roll-out to 10 locations in support of a consumer full-fibre service delivered by Vodafone Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2018
Government pumps more funding into NHS ‘test beds’ programme
Seven new “test beds” will receive £7m to trial a range of technologies to improve patient care in the second wave of the NHS Test Beds Programme Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Oct 2018
Can Matt Hancock be the minister that finally gets NHS technology right?
A large and toxic cloud has hung over NHS IT since the failure of the £12bn National Programme that saw billions wasted on systems that barely worked. Since then, we’ve seen the collapse of ... Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2018
A new era of collaboration for the NHS
Great Ormond Street Hospital's new research and innovation unit, Drive, marks a significant shift towards greater collaboration between NHS organisations and third-party industry partners Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2018
Interview: Matt Hancock, secretary of state for health and social care, on his NHS ‘tech vision’
Matt Hancock brings rare digital experience to running the NHS and social care systems, but can he overcome the legacy of past health service technology failures? Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
Dubai Health Authority unveils virtual health app for GP consultations
Health authority adopts new technology as part of the Dubai Future Accelerators initiative Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
Middle East gears up for 5G
The race for 5G is well and truly under way, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia are well positioned to be among the first countries in the world to deliver the benefits of this new telecoms protocol Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
MoJ to go all-in on public cloud as infrastructure modernisation push gathers pace
The Ministry of Justice claims modernising, retiring and migrating its legacy IT systems to the public cloud will help it accrue long-term savings of around 60% on hosting costs Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
Home Office ‘seriously’ considered ESN shutdown
New disclosures from those responsible for the troubled Emergency Services Network project have revealed that, contrary to previous denials, the Home Office came close to pulling the plug earlier this year Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
No new funding for Hancock’s NHS tech vision
Getting the technology plan right is more about standards than money, says health and social care secretary Matt Hancock, as he explains why NHS organisations won’t be given additional funding to deliver on his vision Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2018
NHS standards framework aims to set the bar for quality and efficiency
NHS Digital’s standards framework sets out renewed commitment to implement and use open standards across the NHS Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2018
Hancock sets out NHS tech vision
Government will mandate national open standards for the NHS and tech suppliers, build a health and caretech ecosystem and give local NHS organisations more flexibility in how and what tech they buy Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Oct 2018
GlaxoSmithKline R&D CDO on combining Hadoop and Docker to boost drug discovery efforts
Mark Ramsey, chief digital officer of research and development at GSK, describes how banking on big data, containers and on-premise technologies is speeding up the company’s efforts to uncover new drugs and improve the hit rate of its clinical trials Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
Public Health England builds Ceph and Lustre cloud for analytics
Healthcare analytics and modelling organisation Public Health England built an open source cloud from Red Hat Ceph object storage and Lustre scale-out file access storage to petabyte scale Continue Reading
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E-Zine
16 Oct 2018
Drilling into AI at Shell
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how oil giant Shell is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to boost workforce safety and productivity. We analyse the attempted Russian cyber attack revealed by the Dutch government. And we look at how blockchain is being used in the food and drink industry to improve supply chain management. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2018
Cost of WannaCry attack to NHS set at £92m
Department for Health and Social Care estimates the immediate cost of the May 2017 WannaCry attack on the NHS was £92m, and says it will have spent about £275m on improvements to its cyber security infrastructure by the end of 2021 Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2018
Research and innovation unit for healthtech opens at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Drive research unit is dedicated to bringing the latest technological developments into healthcare Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2018
Robots in the workplace supported by 81% of business chiefs
Robotic process automation continues to be taken up by more organisations – but despite proven benefits, those that already use it are struggling to scale it up Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2018
Huawei Connect 2018: Huawei tackles barriers to effective AI
At its annual customer and technology event, Huawei chairman Eric Xu set out 10 key challenges facing AI, and revealed how the networking supplier’s strategy will help to address these Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Oct 2018
App-based self-service healthcare
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the long-awaited mobile app from the NHS, which has started public trials, and ask what it means for a digital health service. We hear from early experimenters of blockchain to find out what it will take for the technology to be enterprise-ready. And we analyse the impact of mergers and acquisitions on corporate networks. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2018
Tech takes centre stage in CBI’s pre-Budget wish list
Industry calls on government to set the tone for a tech-friendly business environment after the UK leaves the EU Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2018
NHS trust uses automation and virtual workers to speed up referrals
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation trust is using intelligent automation and virtual workers to monitor and process referrals from GPs in five of its specialist clinical units Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2018
GDPR case work swamps Denmark’s data protection agency
The agency investigating alleged breaches of GDPR in Denmark is recruiting additional resources to cope with the increase in work Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2018
AI will boost productivity in the NHS, says digital minister
Digital minister Margot James thinks artificial intelligence could liberate NHS clinicians and boost productivity across the health service Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2018
CIO interview: Niall Quinn, technology director, Crown Commercial Service
The Crown Commercial Service’s technology director talks about how the government’s procurement agency is working to make buying easier, drive innovation forward and shake up the public sector Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2018
Matt Hancock plans to sequence five million genomes in five years
The health secretary aims to expand the government-funded 100,000 Genomes Project and sequence five million genomes over the next five years and roll out genomic testing across the NHS Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2018
Launch of NHS app marks a new era
The NHS has begun piloting its coveted app, but how exactly will it work, and what does it mean for patients accessing the health service? Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2018
UK will unilaterally tax web giants, says Hammond
Chancellor threatens to go it alone on tax reform for digital services businesses if an international agreement cannot be reached Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2018
UKtech50 2018 – help us find the most influential people in UK IT
Computer Weekly’s annual search for the 50 most influential people in UK IT is on – let us know who you would like to nominate for this year's list Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
Cyber attackers are increasingly exploiting RDP, warns FBI
Businesses should to act to reduce the likelihood of compromise from cyber attackers exploiting the remote desktop protocol, warns the FBI Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2018
ICO threatens fines for outstanding fees
The UK’s privacy watchdog has issued warning letters to organisations, including some NHS trusts and government organisations, for failing to pay a new data protection fee Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2018
Indian IT giant TCS sees IBM and Accenture as nearest rivals
Rapidly-growing Tata Consultancy Services has its eyes on the US IT giants, with customer service key if it is to overtake them Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2018
NHS Digital to publish new guidance on data standards
Data could be a huge advantage for the NHS, but data quality and accessibility is still a big challenge, says NHS Digital CEO Sarah Wilkinson as she promises clear guidance on standards and interoperability Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
InfoWatch opens training centre to help address Middle East skills shortage
Security supplier offers Middle East customers cyber security and digital training facility as organisations in the region struggle to equip staff with latest skills Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
NHS Digital hires chief information security officer
Robert Coles will lead the health and care sector’s response to cyber attacks and help local organisations meet the government’s cyber security standards Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2018
Phased roll-out of ESN to start in early 2019
The government will adopt a phased approach to the roll-out of the new emergency services 4G communications network Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2018
Businesses that take humans with them on robotics journeys gain the most
Businesses that put human development at the centre of their automation strategies will profit the most Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2018
Pharmacy2U signs up to digital communications platform
Online pharmacy aims to make it easier for people to contact them, using an omnichannel system from RingCentral allowing arrange of services, including voice, chat, text and email Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2018
What are the current SD-WAN options for enterprises?
Software-defined wide area networking is well on its way to being a multi-billion dollar market. We assess the current state of the market and look at some of the options for enterprise CIOs and network managers Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2018
Medical firm debuts internet-connected prosthetic limbs
Orthotic and prosthetic services business Hanger is trialling five connected prosthetic limbs with support from AT&T’s Foundry innovation lab Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2018
Employers turn to wearable technology to help staff manage work-life balance
Companies are realising that there are sound business reasons for ensuring their employees get enough sleep and exercise, so they are turning to wearable technology to help their staff stay healthy, despite the pressures of work Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2018
Leeds NHS trust vows to dump its fax machines by 2019
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a campaign to get rid of its fax machines by January 2019 in a bid to remove paper and champion innovation Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2018
CIO interview: Marcella Flood, head of digital transformation, Allianz Care
Insurance giant’s international healthcare division is dealing with legacy systems while working on a data-led transformation that is underpinned by standards Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2018
ESN delays are leaching vital funds from UK police forces
Ongoing delays to the Emergency Services Network roll-out are costing the UK taxpayer £330m a year, according to the National Audit Office Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2018
Hancock touts his support for controversial GP at Hand service
Health secretary says GP at Hand helps deliver a better service and that he wants to help the app expand across the country, as he highlights importance of embracing technology Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2018
Health secretary launches digital platform for NHS staff
Matt Hancock hopes the digital Talk Health and Care platform will encourage staff to share their ideas and views on how to make working in the NHS better Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2018
Can technology save our NHS?
By the technophiles, digital is seen as the holy grail that will save our NHS, but is technology the answer, and how long will it be before we have a digital NHS? Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2018
Health secretary Matt Hancock to boost NHS IT with £200m fund
Matt Hancock will announce a £200m fund for further digital centres of excellence and plans to pilot the NHS app across England, but shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth calls the plans a “pipe dream” Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2018
All acute NHS trusts in England now using e-referrals
NHS trusts have reached 100% uptake of NHS England’s e-referral service, ahead of October 2018 deadline Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2018
Health minister launches code of conduct for health tech data
The code of conduct – focused around data-driven tech such as AI – aims to deepen trust between researchers, innovators, patients and clinicians, according to health minister James O’Shaughnessy Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2018
If we don't digitise NHS, we are condemning people to die, says NHS England’s operational director
NHS England’s national director for operations, Matthew Swindells, calls for a complete overhaul of the way the NHS delivers care, claiming the current model “is not viable” Continue Reading
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News
04 Sep 2018
Government confirms West Midlands to become home to UK's first large-scale 5G test bed
The government has confirmed the West Midlands will be used to carry out the UK's first large-scale test of 5G technology, with trials centred on its use in the health, construction and automotive sectors Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Sep 2018
From Aberdeen to Brighton: Investing in the UK’s digital future
More investment in the UK’s broadband infrastructure is critical to ensure the UK’s future success in technology in a post-Brexit world Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2018
NHS organisations in south-east England choose BT for HSCN
BT will provide broadband services over the Health and Social Care Network to 24 NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups in the south-east of England Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2018
Nearly half of NHS staff rely on instant messaging at work
43% of NHS staff use apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for work purposes, and most NHS trusts have no policy discouraging the use of instant messaging, according to supplier CommonTime Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
DCMS has £95m for full-fibre in final round of LFFN scheme
The government has announced the third and final round of the Local Full Fibre Network Challenge Fund, with £95m remaining to invest in local ultrafast broadband projects Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
IT leaders at a crossroads as they grapple with digital technology
CIOs have the opportunity to influence their company strategy as digital technology reshapes business. A survey of CIOs across 70 countries charts a path for IT leaders through emerging technologies Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2018
Hancock appoints chief technology adviser
Hadley Beeman will service as Matt Hancock’s chief technology adviser at the Department for Health and Social Care Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2018
Dubai Health Authority launches artificial intelligence strategy
Healthcare organisation is rolling out next-generation technology in its health facilities to improve patient care Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2018
Greater Manchester hails cloud as key to delivery of devolved health and social care in region
Having taken back control from the government for running its own health and social care budgets, The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care (GMHSC) Partnership is now in the throes of establishing what role cloud will play in its work Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2018
European cloud adopters still lack basic security
Despite outpacing the rest of the world, the majority of organisations adopting cloud in Europe, the Middle East and Africa lack basic security, a report reveals Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2018
Language barrier won’t hold back chatbots in the Netherlands
The use of chatbots by Dutch organisations is on the up, with KLM's chatbot a pioneering example Continue Reading