NHSX allocates £6.5 million to digital healthcare projects

The UK government unit responsible for setting national policy and developing best practices for National Health Service (NHS) technology, digital, and data NHSX announced an allocation of a £6.5 million fund to promote digital initiatives in the health sector. The fund will be allocated to projects to use digital technology in preparations for colonoscopies, maternity services, mental healthcare, and managing lower back pain. ‘Today we are backing 35 local projects to transform care for patients using digital technology. These initiatives show how digital can help the NHS ease the pressure on services, from digitising standard pre-treatment assessment processes to free up clinical time by supporting patients to manage their conditions at home,’ said NHSX chief executive Matthew Gould. The organisations that received the fund will be working on a) developing and implementing a digital inclusion plan for patients access its Early Intervention in Psychosis service, b) identifying the main barriers and blockers to accessing digital services in the maternity pathway, c) reviewing and address digital inclusion across cancer and musculoskeletal pathways, and d) developing an automated text messaging system to provide reminders for patients of steps to be taken before a colonoscopy.