This week’s top stories include a number of big stories such as Juliet Bauer announcing she is stepping down from her role as NHS England’s chief digital officer while another was about her replacement. Our round up from this year’s CES which included Samsung launching its Care Bot has also made the list.
1. Juliet Bauer to leave NHS England and move to GP consultation provider
Taking the number one spot this week was the news that Bauer would be leaving NHS England and will be taking up a a global product role at online GP consultation provider, LIVI, from April 2019. Bauer, who was NHS England’s first chief digital officer, has been a key figure in the ‘Empower the Person’ programme and has overseen a number of projects such as the NHS App and NHS 111 online.
2. Former MP appointed as minister in charge of NHS innovation
Just missing out on the top spot was the news that former MP, Nicola Blackwood, has been named as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care. Blackwood, who previously served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the then-called Department of Health from July 2016 until June 2017, replaces James O’Shaughnessy, who announced he was stepping down from the role in December 2018 due to ‘family circumstances’.
3. Samsung unveils Bot Care health robot at CES 2019
Next up was our round up from this year’s CES show in Las Vegas. One of the bigger highlights was Samsung unveiling a fleet of consumer robots, including one which can help users monitor their health. A number of people posted videos on social media of the Bot Care, which can measure users’ blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and sleeping state. It is also capable of reminding patients when it’s time to take their medicine.
4. Tara Donnelly named as NHS England’s new interim digital chief
Following on from our number one story about Bauer, fourth on our list is the news about her replacement, Tara Donnelly. The chief executive of the Health Innovation Network has been named as NHS England’s interim chief digital officer while Bauer’s permanent replacement is found. Taking to social media, Donnelly said she was looking forward to joining the team.
5. First digital health accelerator launched in Yorkshire and Humber
Last but by no means list, in at number five this week was the news that the first digital health accelerator programme has been launched in Yorkshire and Humber. Set up with the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), Propel@YH, aims to provide specialist training and product development support for each organisation that signs up. Six organisations will be chosen to take part in the six-month programme, which includes one-to-one support from someone with strong clinical or NHS provider experience, clinical safety and NHS procurement processes.