03.02.20
Health Foundation to explore data and tech in health and care
The Health Foundation has announced a ‘significant investment’ into developing a new programme of work aimed at analysing the impact of data analytics and technology on UK health and care.
The new strategy, Data Analytics for Better Health, will build on existing analytical capability in the health and care system to ensure everyone’s benefits from data-driven technology.
It comes in the same week as an announcement from government setting out £140m into artificial intelligence for health and care.
New measures will look to establish major new partnerships and research initiatives and collaborate with organisations to boost the data and technology agenda.
Another key focus will be on ensure the health and social care system maximises the value of data, to promote better analytics across the sector through funding and support for innovation.
Dr. Adam Steventon, Director of Data Analytics at the Health Foundation, said:
“Data is being used to drive innovation in ways that can revolutionise health care, including early disease detection, easier access to care services and encouraging health promoting behaviours. But such technological advances also carry the risk of harm to patients.
“As a nation we need to advance our understanding of these fast-moving changes. This new programme of work will help us to do that, enabling us to explore how analytics and data-driven technology can create better heath and care for people across the UK.”
The Health Foundation’s with five main vision points are:
- A data and technology ecosystem that innovates in response to UK health and care priorities
- Using analytics and data-driven technology to help reduce health inequalities
- Effectively monitor the impact of analytics and data-driven technology on health, and the right regulation
- Realise the potential of data for health and care
- A flourishing and responsible innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive at the Health Foundation, said:
“The field is moving very fast, with huge opportunities and risks for health and health care. As an independent charitable foundation, this new investment will help us work with others to help shape the agenda as objectively as possible. It builds on the major data analytics capability and insights we’ve developed over the last five years.”