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Techday NZ
5 days ago
- Health
- Techday NZ
Healthcare leaders optimistic on GenAI, but face major hurdles
New research from NTT Data has revealed a significant gap between healthcare leaders' ambitions for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and their ability to deliver on these strategies. The findings, based on a survey of 425 healthcare decision-makers across 33 countries, indicate that while more than 80% of healthcare organisation leaders report having a well-defined GenAI strategy, only 40% believe that strategy is strongly aligned with their broader business objectives. Additionally, just 54% said their GenAI capability could be classified as high performing. Key challenges identified The research comes at a time when the UK Government's 10-year Health Plan has set a target to make the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world. While leaders in the sector widely recognise the potential for GenAI to accelerate research and development (94%) and improve patient outcomes, they also highlight a series of barriers, including a lack of necessary skills (75%), legacy infrastructure (91%), and security concerns (91%). A substantial majority (95%) of respondents consider cloud-based solutions as the most practical and cost-effective means for fulfilling their GenAI technology requirements. However, progress has been slowed by data security, privacy, ethical issues, and the challenges of regulatory compliance, according to the NTT Data report titled GenAI: The Care Plan for Powering Positive Health Outcomes . Tom Winstanley, Chief Technology Officer at NTT Data UK & Ireland, said: "Our report analyses the importance of AI to healthcare, which has just been demonstrated in the contents of the UK Government's latest 10 Year Health Plan for England. The plan aims to make the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world and calls for all hospitals to be fully adopt AI, driving the UK to the forefront of investment and adoption. To achieve this, it aims to support all doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals with trusted AI assistants, signalling a bridge across the skills gap exposed in the report, whilst securely leveraging the wealth of health data within the NHS." Security and compliance concerns Despite investment in GenAI showing benefits in compliance and adherence to processes, 91% of healthcare executives expressed concerns about privacy violations and the potential misuse of Protected Health Information (PHI). Only 42% strongly agreed that their current cybersecurity controls are effective in protecting GenAI applications. Nonetheless, the perceived benefits of GenAI remain high, with 87% of respondents agreeing that the long-term potential of GenAI outweighs the risks associated with security and legal challenges. Looking ahead, 59% plan to make significant investments in GenAI over the next two years. Technical and workforce readiness Outdated technology and insufficient data readiness also impact GenAI deployment. According to the research, 91% of respondents said that legacy infrastructure affects their ability to effectively use GenAI. Meanwhile, only 44% strongly agreed they had made sufficient investments in data storage and processing capabilities for GenAI workloads, and 48% had assessed the readiness of their data and platforms for such applications. Developments in patient care Human-focused GenAI solutions are seen as facilitating greater efficiency for clinical and administrative staff, while maintaining patient-centred care. Examples include using AI to predict chronic disease for early intervention and speeding up administrative checks. The report highlights NTT Data's collaborative work with The Royal Marsden, a cancer treatment centre in the UK, to develop an AI-powered radiology analysis service intended to support medical imaging research and improve outcomes for cancer patients. Flann Horgan, Vice President, Healthcare at NTT Data UK & I, said: "This partnership illustrates how AI technology can be harnessed for good. The ethical and secure use of AI in healthcare is central to our mission to build a smarter, healthier society, and this project is a blueprint for what responsible innovation looks like in practice. We are proud to support The Royal Marsden in pushing the boundaries of cancer research." Addressing the steps needed for success, Sundar Srinivasan, Senior Vice President, Healthcare, NTT Data North America, emphasised: "To achieve GenAI's full potential in healthcare, organisations must align the technology to their business strategies, develop comprehensive workforce training, and implement multi-layered governance strategies that prioritise people and keep humans in the loop. It's vital to transparently show how the technology benefits patients by complementing human workers." Survey methodology The report's respondents comprise 81% from large enterprises with more than 10,000 employees; 70% are from the C-suite, while 28% are vice presidents, heads or directors, and 3% are senior managers or specialists. A total of 28% hold IT-specific roles.
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
NHS waiting lists fall to lowest for two years but doctors' strikes risk halting progress
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NHS waiting lists have fallen to the lowest for two years but progress is at risk from doctors' strikes. The backlog was down to 7.36million in May, from a peak of 7.77m in 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 'Our NHS is finally moving in the right direction but this recovery is only just beginning and it is fragile', said Health Secretary Wes Streeting Credit: Alamy Hospitals had their busiest May on record with 75,000 treatments, 80,000 scans and 78,000 A&E visits every day. Health chiefs warn staff's efforts could go to waste if the British Medical Association's five-day strike goes ahead at the end of the month. Waiting lists were the highest in history during the last run of strikes and are expected to rise again if walkouts drag on. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Our NHS is finally moving in the right direction but this recovery is only just beginning and it is fragile. READ MORE ON NHS ASK DR ZOE Dr Zoe reveals how to get free bowel cancer tests - & who needs prostate checks 'I am once again urging the BMA to abandon their unreasonable rush to strike.' Prof Meghana Pandit, of NHS England, added: 'It would be hugely disappointing if this progress were to stall this summer due to industrial action.' An official survey also showed patient satisfaction with GP surgeries has increased compared to last year. But cancer waiting times appeared to get worse in May compared to April. Tim Gardner, from the Health Foundation think-tank, said: 'Last week the government's 10-year Health Plan outlined an ambitious vision to make the NHS fit for the future. 'The statistics published today highlight the scale of the challenge in making that vision a reality.' Junior doctors branded 'irresponsible and dangerous' as they stage 11th strike with 5-day walkout
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell. Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row. The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%. Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April. The target to reach 75% is also March 2026. Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays. 'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. 'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.' Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward. 'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable. 'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances. Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'. The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the NHS seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, we know there is more to do to improve early diagnosis, access to tests and life-saving treatments. 'Our 10 Year Health Plan launched last week sets out some of the ways we will transform cancer care to be fit for the future, including innovation to speed up referral and diagnosis, with more to follow in the National Cancer Plan coming later this year.'
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
State-subsidised restaurants to offer nutritious food to deprived households
Dundee one of two sites for UK government initiative aimed at improving access to fruit and vegetables Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Two state-subsidised restaurants are to open in Dundee and Nottingham to provide deprived households with access to nutritious food in a social setting, the government has announced. The restaurants, to open in the summer of next year, will provide "universal access" to nutritious and sustainably-produced food in social settings, and particularly meet the needs of deprived households with children, Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They are one of six newly announced projects that will receive £8.5 million in UK government funding to tackle food inequality, including a mapping tool to direct a mobile greengrocer to visit areas of Liverpool where social housing residents have limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetables in a Whole Foods Market shop in London | Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Under the Liverpool initiative, expected to begin in spring of next year, research will direct the "Queen of Greens" bus, which has delivered fresh fruit and vegetables to communities across Liverpool and Knowsley since 2022, to residents in social housing who may find it harder to access healthier options in their neighbourhoods, Mr Kyle said. In some areas, residents will receive vouchers to buy fruit and vegetables from the bus. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Researchers will measure how the diet and health of recipients change as a result of the initiative in order to predict the effect of it being rolled out across the country. It follows the launch of the government's ten-year Health Plan, which last week included the announcement that supermarkets could be fined if they do not sell healthier food. Glasgow 'food deserts' Other projects will assess the role of community food markets in areas of Glasgow with limited access to grocery stores, known as "food deserts", surveying food pantry users to find out about other activities and support they would like to see on offer, such as cooking sessions or recipe boxes, and improving the nutritional content and take-up of free school meals. Mr Kyle said: "No one in this country should be left unable to access the healthy food they need - which is why interventions like the Queen of Greens are so important - and measuring their impact is so vital. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "These projects will draw on the power of research to actively explore the best ways to get healthy food into the mouths of those who need it, potentially having a transformational effect on people's lives, and fulfilling the missions set in our Plan for Change." Lucy Antal , director of Alchemic Kitchen CIC ( Community Interest Company ), who runs the Queen of Greens, said: "We are very much looking forward to working on this new research project with all the team assembled by the University of Liverpool. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It will be a great opportunity to trial an expansion into supporting social housing tenants to access fresh produce, and to have the health and social impact of this intervention measured and assessed. The Queen of Greens is for everyone, and the data produced will help support our future activity." Professor Alison Park , deputy executive chairwoman of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said: "Everyone should have access to healthy, nutritious food but we know the number of food insecure households across the UK is increasing.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Here's how millions of people could lose health insurance if Trump's tax bill becomes law
WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 11.8 million adults and children will be at risk for losing health insurance if Republicans' domestic policy package becomes a law. The losses won't come all at once. The GOP's ' One Big, Beautiful Bill Act ' makes changes that will whittle away at enrollment through federal health care programs like Medicaid and Obamacare over a decade in order to wrest nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill is likely to reverse years of escalating health insurance rates in the U.S., gains that have also been marked by record spending on federally-funded health care coverage. Roughly 78 million adults and children are enrolled in Medicaid's programs while 24 million people are enrolled in the ACA's marketplaces. Medicaid is a joint federal-state venture that is administered by the states. The program goes by different names in some states, like Medi-Cal in California, BadgerCare in Wisconsin, or MassHealth in Massachusetts. A look at some of the ways in which people may lose health care coverage under the GOP's plan: Medicaid or Obamacare enrollee? Your income and eligibility will be checked closely and more often. Under the GOP's plan, states will need to verify a person's income to check Medicaid eligibility every six months. People who are homeless or transient may miss notices from the government to fill out paperwork more frequently, said Martha Santana-Chin, the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, which provides Medicaid for millions of Los Angelenos. They'll lose their coverage if they don't respond. 'The life experience of these individuals is not necessarily one that allows them the luxury of having to work through onerous paperwork,' Santana-Chin said. When Texas increased income eligibility checks between 2014 and 2019, for example, thousands of kids lost coverage in the state. Critics faulted the frequent checks, too, for the state having the highest rate of uninsured children in the nation at the time. States will also be required to check enrollees' addresses and death records more frequently. People enrolled in the ACA's marketplace coverage will also be subject to more scrutiny over their reported income and face penalties if they end up earning more than they expected when signing up for the coverage. They'll have to wait for the government to verify their information, too, before getting coverage. It will be a sharp contrast from employer-based coverage, where people are re-enrolled every year unless they opt out. Is your child enrolled in coverage? States will be allowed to delay kids from enrolling in the Children's Health Insurance Program in some cases. They will be allowed to temporarily block parents from enrolling their children if they are behind on paying the premiums for the coverage. Those premiums for kids' coverage can run as much as $100 a month in some states, according to health policy research firm KFF. States will also be able to introduce a waiting period for kids who are being transitioned from private health insurance plans to Medicaid. The Biden administration prohibited states from locking out parents from enrolling their kids in coverage over missed payments or a waiting period when transitioning from private health insurance. Are you an immigrant? Getting coverage may get harder. The bill narrows the definition of who qualifies for lower Obamacare, restricting access for thousands of refugees and asylum seekers who come to the U.S. every year. States that offer Medicaid coverage to cover immigrants who may not be here legally will also receive less money from the federal government. Several states allow immigrants to enroll in Medicaid, paid for only using state tax dollars. But the bill threatens that coverage by lowering the rate the federal government pays for all legal residents from 90% to 80%. That will lead some states to drop their program for immigrants entirely rather than lose federal funding. Already, California has announced a freeze on any new enrollment for the state funded Medi-Cal for all immigrants. Illinois, meanwhile, halted its program this month. Able-bodied? You'll have to work, volunteer or go to school. Most coverage losses are expected to come from the GOP's proposed work requirement. People aged 19 through 64 will be required to work, volunteer or go to school for 80 hours per month in order to qualify for Medicaid under the new law. They'll be exempt if they're disabled, pregnant or parent a child who is 14 or younger. Ultimately, some people will decide they don't want to work and don't need the coverage, said Michael F. Cannon, director of health policy studies at the libertarian think tank Cato Institute. 'It can encourage people who don't value Medicaid coverage not to sign up for it,' Cannon said. 'And that saves the government money.' Most Medicaid enrollees already work, attend school, have a disability or are caregivers, which should exempt them from the requirement. Only about 8% of enrollees report not working or being unable to find work. In some cases, people will lose coverage even if they're working. They will fall victim to bureaucratic errors, overlooked forms, or trouble getting all of the documents — like proof of employment and tax forms — together to prove to the government that they're working. Verifying work will be especially difficult for people who don't have access to the internet, a computer or phones. That's how some people lost coverage in Arkansas, which tried to enact work requirements in 2018. Roughly 18,000 people were pushed off Medicaid within seven months. A federal judge later blocked the requirement. Enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid? It will be harder to apply Millions of people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, often because of a disability. The GOP bill will roll back requirements of the ways the Biden administration streamlined enrollment for those people, including a rule that required states to automatically enroll people into coverage if they qualify for supplemental income because of a disability. 'By rescinding these rules and no longer requiring states to make some of these simplifications, it's likely that some people will lose coverage because they get caught up in these paperwork burdens,' said Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health policy at KFF.
