In March, the unveiling of the NHS Productivity Plan marked a significant milestone in UK healthcare, with the Chancellor announcing a cash injection of £3.4 billion into the NHS. But what changes will be made?
Here Jess O’Dwyer, General Manager for Europe, Pocketalk, explores how healthcare in Ireland should inform the NHS
Beyond a mere infusion of funds, the NHS Productivity Plan represents a strategic initiative to modernise the entire NHS operation. It aims to position the NHS as the largest digitally integrated healthcare system globally. Something that many argue is well overdue.
Led by Jeremy Hunt, the plan outlined various pledges aimed at enhancing NHS technological capabilities, including improvements to the NHS app, electronic patient records and an increased integration of AI.
Transforming the NHS
It was this latter point that piqued my interest and got me excited.
Why? Because it shows that the funding is going further than simply replacing and upgrading outdated IT systems; it promises to remove archaic processes and legacy technology replacing them with new tech and AI to create better efficiency.
The Chancellor made it very clear in his speech in the Spring that he sees the investment as a way to reduce paperwork, save time and free up resources. Efficiency lies at the heart of this transformation, and efficiency in healthcare is paramount, something Pocketalk has seen after working in partnership with several healthcare settings in Ireland, including three women’s hospitals supporting patients and staff in maternity and gynaecology units.
Working directly with the healthcare industry in Ireland, we have witnessed the transformative potential of technology and AI in healthcare, when it is used to support and complement other language translation solutions.
What barriers is technology breaching?
We’ve identified three major benefits that technology is having in breaking down communication barriers. Firstly, in situations where appointments haven’t been made, for example, in emergency admissions, third-party solutions such as human translators, which require pre-booking, aren’t always readily available.
The other benefit we’ve seen in our work is specifically in female health. Having technology on hand that enables the patient to build rapport with their doctor or nurse can bring a sense of calmness and trust. It allows the patient to connect more personally with the medical team.
Lastly, being able to converse privately allows the patient to request that family members or children be removed from a difficult situation.
Beyond IT upgrades: Embracing AI for efficiency
Blending a range of solutions, both digitally and physically, can have a huge impact on productivity across the board. This isn’t just for healthcare workers and helping those patients with English as an additional language but also for those patients who do speak English and can converse with staff without any communication breakdowns. How? Because all patients experience delayed appointments, excessive waiting times and limited resources part of that is down to the time healthcare workers spend on translating records, booking translators and so on.
We conducted research with 1,000 UK healthcare workers and found that a fifth of NHS workers reported encountering language barriers every single day, with these hurdles consuming as much as half a day of their working week. These statistics underscore not only operational inefficiencies but also substantial time and financial costs.
Our partnerships with healthcare providers in Ireland serve as a testament to the effect technology can have in driving efficiency. This investment must include a commitment to overcoming language barriers and spearheading progress in healthcare productivity.
In harnessing AI for healthcare in Ireland there are two key lessons to share with the NHS.
The first one is to ‘embrace it’. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, embracing technology promises not only enhanced efficiency but also improved patient outcomes. By leveraging AI-powered solutions, healthcare providers can navigate linguistic barriers, optimise resources, and deliver more personalised care, ultimately advancing towards a patient-centric future.
Breaking down communication barriers with technology
Bringing new technology to be part of the solution to address language barriers in healthcare is a huge step forward, but the second consideration is to remember technology is there to play a role – it doesn’t always need to be the lead character. Moving forward, the integration of AI into healthcare operations holds immense potential for the NHS. However, it is crucial to approach this transition thoughtfully, ensuring that technology complements existing practices and enhances the overall patient experience whilst being secure and mindful of the sensitivities that come with healthcare.
As the NHS embarks on its journey towards digital transformation, the lessons learned from Ireland’s healthcare settings underscore the importance of embracing AI as a tool to drive efficiency, improve patient care, and ultimately shape the future of healthcare delivery. Through strategic investments and a commitment to innovation, the NHS can position itself as a global leader in digital healthcare, delivering better outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
This piece was written and provided by Jess O’Dwyer, General Manager for Europe, Pocketalk, an AI-powered language translation solution. To find more information: visit Pocketalk.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay in touch with our latest updates.
