Key Insights from Helen Balsdon
Helen Balsdon, England’s Chief Clinical Nursing Information Officer, emphasized the need for the NHS to accelerate the implementation of effective technologies to address the increasing demand for healthcare services. Speaking at Digital Health Rewired, she highlighted the importance of moving beyond unnecessary pilot programs for technologies that have already demonstrated their effectiveness.
Importance of Scaling Innovations
- The NHS is facing rising demand for healthcare services.
- Proven innovations should be scaled quickly to improve care quality.
- Reducing the time spent on piloting technologies can lead to better patient outcomes.
NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) Contributions
The NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) has been instrumental in supporting the scaling of over 100 evidence-based innovations since its inception in 2015. This initiative aims to:
- Enhance care quality across the NHS.
- Empower clinical teams with effective tools.
- Achieve operational efficiencies that benefit both patients and staff.
Impact of NIA Innovations
To date, the NIA has:
- Impacted over 10 million patients.
- Raised more than £243 million in external funding.
- Supported the adoption of innovations in over 3,500 NHS sites.
By focusing on proven solutions, the NHS can better respond to the challenges it faces and improve the overall healthcare experience for patients and providers alike.