A significant investment initiative led by the University of Liverpool aims to establish a Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone (CHI-Zone) with a budget approaching £10 million. This programme receives additional monetary support projected to reach £2.5 million from various entities, including the university itself. The CHI-Zone will be situated at Liverpool Science Park and is part of a broader 10-year programme entitled the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone. This initiative aspires to attract "up to £800 million" in combined public and private investment, anticipating the creation of approximately "8,000 new skilled jobs" within the region.
The primary objective of the CHI-Zone is to prepare the future workforce in crucial fields, particularly in health-related artificial intelligence (AI) and to foster the responsible application of data and AI within health and social care environments. Additionally, the university is positioned to evolve into a premier institution for developing and testing prototypes, a strategy that seeks to enhance its global standing and stimulate foreign direct investment into the region.
Plans for the CHI-Zone encompass provisions for assisting university researchers in commercialising their innovations and establishing a HealthTech Design Studio dedicated to fostering research and innovation. Professor Iain Buchan, W.H. Duncan chair in Public Health Systems, associate pro vice chancellor for innovation, and director of Civic Health Innovation Labs, emphasised the zone's transformative potential. Speaking to the Health Tech Newspaper, Professor Buchan stated, "The Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone will spearhead the use of artificial intelligence and other data-driven technologies to improve healthcare, social care and wellness – while growing the region’s life sciences and digital economy, with and for our residents."
The movement towards digital transformation within healthcare continues to gain momentum, with organisations such as Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust providing updates on their digital initiatives. The trust has outlined its priorities in relation to the 10-Year Health Plan, which includes increasing funding for digital tools, addressing challenges faced by staff and patients, and proposing policy alterations to improve technological integration.
In parallel, NHS Education for Scotland has introduced a new self-assessment tool aimed at evaluating digital and data capabilities amongst its workforce. This framework allows individuals to assess their digital skills, knowledge, and behaviours, fostering a more competent approach to digital health advancements.
Furthermore, Digital Health and Care Wales has issued a procurement notice for a new audit solution, with budgets of up to £5 million. This solution targets the monitoring of user access to the NHS Wales single patient record, assessing the use of essential national clinical applications, and identifying any instances of inappropriate access and use.
In a further discourse regarding digital transformation, Neill Crump, the digital strategy director at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, provided insights into the group’s digital innovations. Crump discussed the strategic development of teams from a digital standpoint, highlighting the importance of establishing foundational elements first to cultivate a “high-performing” workforce.
Continued advancements in digital technologies and strategic approaches signify a systematic shift within health and care sectors, fostering an environment conducive to enhanced operational efficiency and improved patient care. Readers can explore in-depth how digital transformation and strategic planning is contributing to workforce development in healthcare in forthcoming reports.
Source: Noah Wire Services