The impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the health information profession

CILIP has published a report aiming to understand how AI, machine learning, process automation and robotics are impacting the daily work of healthcare information professionals.

The report also examines what the implications are likely to be in the near future.

Author Dr Andrew Cox, from Sheffield University, calls for a joined-up and coherent response from information professionals to maximise benefits and mitigate emerging risks.

The report was supported by Health Education England.

CILIP

Health and Social Care Committee publishes report on Government health and social care reform

The Health and Social Care Committee has published its report on The Government’s White Paper proposals for the reform of Health and Social Care.

In its response, the committee widely welcomes the reform proposals.

However, it raises concerns that the White Paper did not set out a long-term plan for social care.

The committee held a number of oral evidence sessions and the transcripts to these can be found here.

Click on the link below to read the report in full.

UK Parliament

COVID-19 vaccination status service

The COVID-19 vaccination status service, developed by NHSX, is now live.

People in England who have had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently two doses of any approved vaccine, can now demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status for international travel. 

Vaccination status is available on the NHS App, by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or by a paper letter which can be requested by calling 119.

NHSX

NHS updates accessibility guidance

The NHS has updated its accessibility guidance for content.

The guidance offers advice to help content designers, writers and editors make digital services accessible.

NHS

GAAD co-founders' accessibility tips for the future

This article summarises the key points from a recent AbilityNet webinar with the founders of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

GAAD took place internationally on 20 May, 2021.

Co-founder Joe Devon spoke about the GAAD pledge which focuses on accessible frameworks.

The full webinar is available to watch via the link below.

AbilityNet

NHS Patient Safety Syllabus launched

An NHS Patient Safety Syllabus has been launched to help save lives and protect patients. 

The multi-professional syllabus has been developed for all staff in the NHS to help identify risks proactively in order to prevent errors before they occur.

Health Education England (HEE) has been working in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement to deliver the Patient Safety strategy. 

HEE commissioned the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to develop the new syllabus.

It is hoped it will transform the way NHS organisations deal with patient safety and help to bring about safer care and treatment for patients and the public.

Health Education England

How Can We Dismantle Health Inequity Together?

National Voices has published its How Can We Dismantle Health Inequity Together? conference report.

The conference ran over four Tuesdays in March, with each day focused on a different theme.

PIF took part in the conference, leading a session titled Addressing health and digital literacy to help improve health inequalities.

The report brings together learning from the conference and identifies key themes.

National Voices

Child mortality and social deprivation

A report has found a 'clear association' between the risk of child death and deprivation.

The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) is based on data for children who died between April 2019 and March 2020 in England.

Child Mortality and Social Deprivation says more than a fifth of all child deaths might be avoided if children living in the most deprived areas had the same mortality risk as those living in the least deprived.

This is equivalent to 700 fewer children dying per year in England.

Authors call on policy makers, commissioners and health and care professionals to use the data to reduce inequalities.

NCMD

Placing women’s voices at the centre of their care

In this article, Miles Sibley, from the Patient Experience Library, and Rebecca Steinfeld, from National Voices, discuss the Government's plans for a Women's Heath Strategy.

They highlight avoidable harm scandals – all of which involved women – and outline shortfalls in current systems which mean patient experience is not deemed essential evidence and is largely uncoordinated.

The blog calls for support from the NHS, NICE, Health Education England and the National Institute for Health Research to place women's voices at the centre of their health and care.

The BMJ

Multilingual versions of pulse oximetry patient video

An NHS video showing people how to use a pulse oximeter at home is now available in multiple languages.

The translations include 11 of the most commonly spoken languages in England after English.

They are designed for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who have been asked to monitor their oxygen levels at home using a pulse oximeter and are supported by COVID Oximetry @home or COVID virtual ward services.

Health and Care Videos

Study: The mental health burden of Long Covid

A study has examined the mental health burden of Long Covid and its association with ongoing physical and respiratory symptoms in adults discharged from hospital. 

It found, among adults attending hospital services for COVID-19, there is significant mental health burden at follow-up.

Almost 14% screened positive for depression and 10.5% for PTSD at a median of 9 weeks post discharge. 

Psychiatric ill-health at follow-up was associated with persistent physical symptoms such as breathlessness and pain. 

The authors say,  given the large numbers of adults affected, there is a need to establish robust follow-up and rehabilitation services.

European Respiratory Journal

Survey: How has COVID-19 affected women with disabilities?

Engender is hosting a survey aimed at all disabled women to find out how they have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This survey builds in part on work previously done in its 2018 report Our Bodies Our Rights.

The joint project with People First Scotland aims to find out what effect lockdown and other public health measures taken during the pandemic have had on disabled women. 

Engender particularly wants to hear stories of how services have adapted and how that affected access to support systems, including friends, family, social care, parenting support, schools and/or health services.

Engender

Health tech and mental health

In this article, myGP discusses the benefits of the healthcare system becoming digitised and the impact this will have on mental health care. 

The article highlights the scale of the mental health epidemic and the potential benefits of health tech including tackling areas of unmet clinical need and providing psychological support.

pharmaphorum

Video aims to boost vaccine confidence within traveller communities

Partners in Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System are encouraging members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen communities to ‘Give Covid the Jab’.

A new NHS video, produced in partnership with First Community Health and Care, aims to educate, inform and answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to boost vaccine confidence within traveller communities.

It was created by Romany journalist and filmmaker Jake Bowers.

Watch the video on YouTube by clicking on the link below.

YouTube