A lab has opened to investigate the potential applications of wearable technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for the NHS.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Gloucestershire collaborated to establish the Health Innovation Lab.
The impact of problems like bed blocking on getting patients into A&E will be investigated by the staff.
Former BBC technology reporter Rory Cellan-Jones served as a significant inspiration.
The lab aims to assist in resolving significant issues the NHS is currently facing, such as waiting lists, information sharing between departments, and access to medical professionals.
The first goal of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was to address bed blocking and patient flow in hospitals, according to Claire Richardson, commercial director.
She claimed that "things of this kind are really complex problems and it's not something that one person can solve.".
We're hoping with this special collaboration we'll actually get some real traction and be able to make a difference, said Ms. Richardson. "It's not something that really one institution can solve," she continued.
It is hoped that artificial intelligence (AI) will assist in spotting trends and patterns as wearable technology is used to remotely monitor health conditions to reduce the risk of cross-infection on wards.
After receiving an eye cancer diagnosis in 2005 and a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2019, Mr. Cellan-Jones, who has written extensively about technology and the healthcare industry, became a frequent user of the NHS.
I went through the system and received fantastic care, but I was also a little surprised at how slowly the NHS adopted the digital revolution, the man said.
Other collaborators with whom the lab is collaborating include Google, AstraZeneca, Iceni Labs, and the Department for Business and Trade.
The team hopes that their innovations will be used in similar ways across the nation because it is thought to be the first of its kind.
Manager of the Growth Hub at the University of Gloucestershire, Alex Cottrell, expressed hope that the project would have a "profound" effect on the effectiveness of the NHS.
"We all love and appreciate the NHS so much, but I think everyone can see the challenges," she said.
"I'm hoping that the lab serves as a model for what can occur across the rest of the nation.
. "
