Government invests £248m in NHS technology

The NHS will receive £248m over the next year to invest in technology to help provide faster diagnoses, earlier treatment and reduce waiting lists.

Diagnostics services across the NHS will be digitalised using the latest technology to improve the way tests, images and results can be shared across computer systems in hospitals, labs and GP surgeries.

The investment aims to help nurses, doctors and other clinicians caring for a patient access results more quickly and easily, even if they are working from different settings.

The new technology will also allow imaging specialists - the experts analysing a scan or x-ray and providing a diagnosis - to review high-res images remotely without needing to be in an imaging lab, 24 hours a day.

The funding will also provide a new tool to help GPs and other clinicians choose the most suitable scan for their patient based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. This aims to cut inappropriate requests made to radiology departments, saving radiologists’ time and ensuring patients get the right scans at the right time.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Today’s multi-million pound investment will play a big role in levelling up diagnostics services across the country so patients can get faster results and healthcare professionals can get their job done more easily.

“Getting a faster diagnosis for a health condition is the first step to getting more people the treatment they need and earlier on, and our funding will help ensure our NHS has access to the latest digital technology to drive up efficiency.”

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