The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ():...Similarly, we have also
seen how the use of Artificial
Intelligence and data can demonstrably reduce
demand and release patients sooner. NHS England has been tasked
with clarifying and simplifying the procurement landscape, taking
on board best international practice, so that a small number of
scalable interventions are taken forward where international
experience shows they can deliver meaningful benefits to
patients...
(Stroud) (Con): In
recent weeks I have seen a few of my constituents in tears
because they have been with loved ones in A&E and seen
elderly residents stuck on trolleys. No Member of Parliament
wants to deal with that. I know that my right hon. Friend is
working hard, and I welcome his announcements, but the public are
watching more and more money going into the NHS, and I think we
need to hear, very clearly, his assessment of when the further
money that has now been announced will lead to meaningful change
in Gloucestershire’s A&E departments and elsewhere.
: That is a fair
challenge. Let me divide it into three sections. First, there is
a recognition that the combination of the legacy from the
pandemic, the ongoing covid issues and, in particular, the
massive spike in flu create an immediate pressure in our A&E
departments. The package announced today shows that we have
listened to those on the frontline, and have responded.
Secondly, there is a recognition—this is relevant to some of the
questions asked today—that the system has been under pressure for
some time. Therefore, the second phase looks at innovation,
technology, Artificial
Intelligence virtual wards and ways of doing
things differently. To take the example of the frail and elderly,
that will address their needs upstream in the care home before
they get to the emergency department or release them from
hospital quicker, provided they have the safety net of being part
of a virtual ward, where they are subject to ongoing clinical
supervision. If they need to come back to hospital, they can do
so much more easily than would otherwise be the case. That stops
the boomerang of patients being released early and then coming
back. That second phase includes the modular capacity, because
space is needed to streamline and to triage. That compression
within the emergency department also drives inefficiency and poor
care...
To read all the exchanges, CLICK HERE
