England’s NHS is struggling to staff virtual hospitals
May 31, 2023
LONDON – England’s health-worker shortage is so severe that the National Health Service can’t staff “virtual wards” that were meant to relieve the burden on its struggling hospitals. Plans to roll out thousands more virtual wards – where patients get the care they need at home rather than at a hospital – are being severely hampered by the dearth of clinical staff, according to the NHS Confederation, which represents UK medical workers and hospitals.
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NEW YORK – In Newsweek magazine’s latest ranking of the world’s top ‘smart hospitals’, 15 Canadian centres crack the list of the 300 most computerized hospitals. The leading Canadian high-tech hospitals, in order of how Newsweek lists them, include the University Health Network (Toronto), Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), and the Ottawa Hospital.
LONDON, UK – The emergency care plan of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government includes intentions to serve more than 500,000 patients annually in “virtual” hospital wards.
LONDON, UK – More than 13.5 million hours of doctors’ time is being lost each year in England due to delays resulting from ‘inadequate or malfunctioning IT systems and equipment’ – the equivalent of almost 8,000 full time doctors, or nearly £1 billion. The findings are from the British Medical Association’s new report, Getting IT Right: A Prescription for Safe, Modern Healthcare, which calls for IT investment to be protected from budget cuts and increased long-term.
TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa General Hospital patients now have a new option for care that combines the expertise of a world-class facility with the comfort of their own home. Tampa General Hospital (TGH)’s Hospital at Home program combines expert care and innovative technology with a focus on the needs of the patient. TGH at Home gives eligible patients an opportunity to stay home, while receiving best-in-class clinical hospital care from healthcare providers, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and certified nurse assistants.
LONDON, UK – Conservative Party leadership candidate Rishi Sunak (pictured) has shaken things up in the U.K. by pledging to fine patients £10 who do not show up for NHS appointments. In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, Sunak said it was “not right” that patients were failing to turn up for consultations, scans and check-ups, “taking those slots away from people who need .”
BOSTON – Heather O’Sullivan (pictured), MS, AGNP, a clinical executive with more than 20 years of experience, has been named Mass General Brigham’s inaugural president of home-based care. In this transformative role, Heather will be instrumental in expanding Mass General Brigham’s ability and capacity to shift care beyond traditional hospital settings to home-based care, with the goal of improving patient outcomes, increasing access, and lowering costs.
TORONTO – Are you looking for new Italian suppliers for health technology products? Would you like to attend trade shows and industry events in Italy? By registering your company on our VELP platform, 
TORONTO – Cross-Border Impact Ventures (CBIV) has announced the launch of the firm and the first close of its Women’s and Children’s Health Technology Fund, which will invest in health technology companies that address the health needs of women, children, and adolescents or make health systems more resilient. CBIV has secured US$30 million in commitments towards an ultimate fund size of more than US$100 million and anticipates making its first investments in Q1 2022.
AMSTERDAM – Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, announced it has received a USD 15.4 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an AI-based application suite to improve the quality and accessibility of obstetric care in low- and middle-income countries, especially in underserved communities.