Editor's Comment

25.09.17

A hotbed of innovation

Source: NHE Aug/Sep 2017

This edition of NHE comes hot on the heels of this year’s NHS Expo which, once again, proved to be a huge success at Manchester Central. A number of announcements were made during the event, with the health secretary naming the second wave of NHS digital pioneers, or ‘fast followers’, which follow the initial global digital exemplars who were revealed at the same show 12 months earlier. 

Jeremy Hunt also stated that by the end of 2018 – the 70th birthday year of the NHS – he expects every patient to be able to access NHS 111, their healthcare record, book a GP appointment, order repeat prescriptions and more, all through an app. However, it remains to be seen how the system will measure up in delivering these goals. We all know what Dr Wachter thought of the ‘paperless by 2020’ deadline. 

One of the great things about Expo was the opportunity to see the numerous innovations being developed across the NHS; I just hope that efforts to spread learning right across the service come to fruition.

Throughout this issue of NHE we have some fantastic examples of new treatments and technologies, including some of the latest to have come from the NHS Innovation Accelerator. 

Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England, writing for us on page 29, argues: “I defy anybody who says that the NHS is stuck in the mud or slow in its ways; actually, the NHS is a hotbed of innovation.” 

But he does admit that “clearly, as we think over the next three to five years, we need to go further, faster and accelerate what that looks like, but we are continuing to move in the right direction”.

While it is nice to write about the positive developments being made in the NHS, we also have to face the grim reality that the service is under immense pressure – the most since it was founded. 

Chris Hopson, CEO of NHS Providers, discusses the issue of pressure on page 26, which will be an underlying theme at his organisation’s annual conference in November. And, as you’ll have seen from the front cover, the Medical Defence Union explains how a flawed civil litigation system threatens to undermine the ability of the NHS to fund patient care. 

In other news, this will be my last edition as editor of NHE. After four very happy years with the title, I’ve decided to move on. But I’m certain that I have left the publication in a safe pair of hands. Thank you for allowing me to have a front row seat into the workings of the incredible health service family, and happy 70th birthday to the NHS in advance.

David Stevenson

Editor

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

Grant funding awarded for unique Nurse Innovation Fellow position

11/09/2020Grant funding awarded for unique Nurse Innovation Fellow position

Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a grant from the Burdett Trust for Nursing to fund a unique Nursing Innovation Fell... more >
National trial to investigative best treatment for childhood asthma

11/09/2020National trial to investigative best treatment for childhood asthma

An innovative new £1.5m national clinical trial looking at finding the best treatment for childhood asthma has been funded by NIHR. Le... more >
New agreement reached to benefit NHS junior doctors

10/09/2020New agreement reached to benefit NHS junior doctors

Junior doctors in the NHS will now also be able to undertake their training in independent hospitals after a new agreement was reached between in... more >

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental health and wellbeing. As the best rugby players in the world repr... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

13/06/2019Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

Nurses have been named as the most under-appreciated public sector professionals as new research reveals how shockingly under-vauled our NHS, edu... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’v... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us th... more > more last word articles >

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference, Matt Hancock highlighted what he believes to be the three... more >
NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

17/09/2019NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

Over 20 years ago, a Teesside hospital cleaner put down her mop and took steps towards her midwifery dreams. Lisa Payne has been delivering ... more >
How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

24/10/2018How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

A dedicated national social care service could be a potential solution to surging demand burdening acute health providers over the winter months,... more >

health service focus

View all News