UK HealthTech Ready To Take The Digital Challenge With Focused Actions

Not every story on UK heath care planning needs to start with Brexit, although the Brexit white paper-induced cabinet reshuffle this week well might just play out well for those urging faster integration of digital concepts in the NHS.Matt Hancock, former minister of state for digital and culture, has been elevated to health and social care secretary to fill the post vacated by Jeremy Hunt. (Also see "Latest UK Political Shenanigans: What Medtech Needs To Know" - Medtech Insight, 10 July, 2018.) Could this 40-year-old's hands-on approach to digital policy (Hancock was reputedly the first MP to have his own smartphone app – although not without issues) turn into an unexpected "Brexit dividend" for the UK health-care provider?

The UK healthtech industry would applaud that notion. Digital will have a significant impact on how health services are delivered, and where medtech companies should focus their R&D. But some concrete steps need to be taken to make the most of digital technology, says Andrew Davies, market access director at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI)