London to Act as Centre for Adoption of Digital Health Technologies

DigitalHealth London, launched on 10^th February at City Hall by Life Sciences Minister George Freeman, is set to speed up the use of new digital health technologies by bringing together clinicians, healthcare providers, research institutes, entrepreneurs and industry to give companies a clearer route to market based on the needs of patients and the NHS.

Its first major project, launched at the same time, is a new Digital Health Accelerator programme that will support emerging companies working in the digital healthcare sector.

First proposed by the London Health Commission report by Lord Darzi in 2014, DigitalHealth.London is a collaboration between MedCity, the Mayor of London’s life sciences promotional agency for the greater south east, the Greater London Authority and the capital’s three Academic Health Science Networks – the Health Innovation Network, Imperial College Health Partners and UCL Partners.

The framework, which carries the potential to transform healthcare, improve efficiency in the NHS and grow the UK’s economy through innovative new businesses and products,  is being slowed however, by challenges such as the lack of a clear procurement route in the NHS. Difficulties in gaining access to clinicians and patients who can help shape products and explain needs and constraints at an early stage – for example to avoid replicating current technology or inadvertently creating costs further down the chain – have also produced a negative impact on this emerging industry.

DigitalHealth.London Accelerator will work with 30 small digital health businesses each year over an initial three year period, providing support tailored to each company’s individual needs. The programme will promote engagement with clinicians and healthcare experts, so that companies can refine their products to meet healthcare needs, while gaining advice and support on some of the big healthcare hurdles they face – such as navigating the intricacies of the NHS, understanding how to work with sensitive data and accessing opportunities to showcase new technologies in hospitals.