The North East Combined Authority (NEAC) has awarded £1 million to a explore the potential of 5G in healthcare.
It said the money will be shared between the local technology innovation centre CPI, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, Boldyn Networks and healthcare tech firm Waymark.
CPI will play a lead role in working with businesses that submit ideas to improve patient flow and discharge services. The businesses will be able to test their ideas and gain access to early stage adoption pathways into health and care settings through a competition process.
This will take place under a 5G acceleration programme for the North East.
NEAC said that research suggests that 5G networks can transfer large amounts of data over 100 times faster than those running on 4G and Long Term Evolution. This could provide faster treatment for patients, more efficient planning and cost savings.
Addressing big challenges
Steve Bagshaw, Grand Challenge lead at CPI, said: “Using 5G technologies in healthcare settings has the potential to help address some of the biggest challenges faced by healthcare providers today.
“By speeding up and increasing the ability to transfer large amounts of patient data, 5G technologies will provide the opportunity for new digital innovations to come to market. These innovations will help reduce the administrative and time pressures that confront those working in healthcare settings, and ultimately free up more time for doctors and nurses to spend with patients where it matters the most.
“It represents a huge step forward for the way we deliver health services. For many of us in the UK, it might feel like 5G is already a part of daily life, but the application of digital technologies in healthcare is much more complex.
“We must strive to take advantage of these technologies to provide the best possible care for patients and make step change improvements for staff in the NHS and wider social care.”
Professor Graham Evans, chief digital and infrastructure officer for NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “This 5G innovation is an example of system-wide collaboration across healthcare, academia and industry partners, where real world challenges are considered as opportunities that can be solved by combining the right people with the skills, expertise and knowledge to make a positive difference – together."
Region of excellence
Cllr Nick Kemp, portfolio holder for economy at NEAC and leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The North East is home to a growing and thriving digital sector, with cutting edge businesses creating good, high skilled jobs and tackling some of the crucial challenges facing our region and country. Our ambition is to become a region of excellence for 5G technology, and the combined authority continues to back innovative businesses to adopt technology, scale up and grow.
“This is crucial to the North East’s industrial strategy, where we want to build a stronger, more inclusive economy which delivers better public services and ensures everyone benefits from growth. This project provides a rare opportunity for businesses to test technology in healthcare and has the potential to transform services for patients.”
