Quick Summary
The past year in digital health has been marked by significant events, including a new government, a major cyber attack on the NHS, and a commitment of £2 billion in technology funding. Here are the top 10 stories that generated the most discussion in the digital health and tech sector throughout 2024.
Key News Stories
- 10. NHS England Cancels £300 Million Digital Pathways Framework
- In June 2024, NHS England announced the cancellation of its £300 million digital pathways framework due to delays from a legal claim.
- The framework aimed to modernize general practice by connecting integrated care boards with approved suppliers for digital GP tools.
- 9. NHS Technology at a Tipping Point
- Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, stated in June that the NHS is at a “tipping point” for technology use, highlighting the NHS App’s reach of 34 million users.
- 8. Cyber Security Incident at Merseyside Hospital
- On November 25, Wirral University Teaching Hospital declared a cyber security incident, leading to the cancellation of outpatient appointments.
- This incident followed earlier attacks on NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Synnovis.
- 7. Global IT Outage Linked to Antivirus Software
- A software update from CrowdStrike caused a global IT outage on July 18, affecting various sectors, including healthcare.
- NHS England confirmed disruptions to the EMIS system used by GP practices and pharmacies.
- 6. Shared EPR Procurement for Four NHS Trusts Ends
- In February 2024, a significant shared electronic patient record procurement for four NHS trusts was halted due to disagreements among the trusts.
- 5. PM Commits to a Digital NHS Following Lord Darzi Report
- Following the publication of Lord Darzi’s review on September 12, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to transition the NHS from analogue to digital.
- 4. Chancellor Announces £2 Billion Investment in NHS Technology
- On October 30, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed plans for a £2 billion investment in NHS technology as part of a broader £22.6 billion funding commitment.
- 3. Investigation into Palantir’s Contract Breach
- NHS England announced an investigation into Palantir for potentially violating its contract related to the Federated Data Platform.
- 2. Ransomware Attack Disrupts Synnovis Pathology Services
- A ransomware attack on Synnovis caused significant disruptions to NHS services in southeast London, leading to postponed appointments and procedures.
- 1. Controversial Remarks by TPP CEO Spark Outrage
- The most discussed story of 2024 involved Frank Hester, CEO of TPP, who faced backlash for reportedly making racist remarks about MP Diane Abbott.
- This incident led to an open letter at the Rewired 2024 event, condemning racism in the digital health sector.
Conclusion
These stories reflect the evolving landscape of digital health in 2024, highlighting both challenges and commitments to improve healthcare through technology. What was your top news story of the year? Share your thoughts in the comments.