NHS integrated care systems (ICSs) are invited to submit bids for a new £30 million in what the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) styles as 'innovative medical technology (medtech)'.
That’s money for systems that the Government says will help ease pressures on the NHS this winter and could mean anything from the expansion of 3D checks that speed up cancer tests and novel logistics solutions, such as the use of drones, to buying wearable medical devices for use by patients at home.
DHSC also wants to see bids for systems to create virtual wards to help care for patients at home, or wearable devices to monitor chronic conditions remotely. Over 9,800 virtual ward beds have already been created, and the NHS is on track to meet its target and deliver 10,000 ahead of winter.
The Department says it expects that applications will open this month, with project delivery this financial year and so getting benefits to patients "as quickly as possible".
“It is vital that clinicians have access to the latest technology to save staff time, deliver high quality care and help cut waiting lists,” said health and social care secretary Steve Barclay.
“The NHS’s world-leading ability to adopt new technology has already helped more than 210,000 patients be treated in their own homes through the rollout of virtual wards. This new funding will allow the health service to adopt more innovations that improve patient care and reduce pressure on wider services,” added NHS interim national director of transformation Dr Vin Diwakar.
The move builds on the Medical Technology Strategy announced in March and June's opening of £21 million for AI diagnosis tech as evidence of ongoing commitment to getting more technology into English healthcare contexts.
