Digital Health Coffee Time Briefing ☕

Your morning summary of digital health news, information and events to know about if you want to be “in the know”.

👇 News

🌍 Digital4Health Worldwide has launched Digital4Health UK alongside its first strategic partner, Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) – part of Nottingham Trent University. Digital4Health UK will work alongside MTIF to host international and regional companies, support Midlands-based digital health tech firms who wish to expand globally and connect European and global health tech leaders via the launch of the UK HealthTech Forum in Nottingham.

💉 Sony has introduced a microelectrode array (MEA) system in collaboration with SCREEN and VitroVo, designed to transform research in neuroscience, cardiology and drug discovery. The new system uses advanced high-density CMOS-MEA technology that can measure signals from approximately 237,000 electrodes simultaneously. As a result, users can access detailed and real-time insights into how cells behave and respond to drugs without the need for animal testing. The innovation will primarily contribute to neuronal and cardiac disease research and drug discovery.

🤝 Following a partnership between Interswitch Group and the Government of Lagos state in Nigeria, Interswitch has selected Patients Know Best (PKB) as a key partner to provide a single patient record system for the state government. The contract will enable the Lagos government to host health records for more than 20 million citizens. PKB will deliver the records and APIs for Interswitch’s digital health platform, and will also deliver world-class records to Lagos State’s healthcare sector.

💷 Kaleidex, specialist in advanced medical device development and manufacturing, has announced the acquisition of OxDevice, a precision engineering and manufacturing company. This is Kaleidex’s third acquisition and marks its expansion into the neurovascular and endovascular device sectors. There will be no changes to OxDevice’s leadership or its team, but its directors will join the Kaleidex leadership team to boost the entire group’s growth.

❓Did you know?

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has published the results of a government trial which found that generative AI could save civil servants nearly two weeks per person, per year.

Peter Kyle, science and technology secretary, said: “These findings show that AI isn’t just a future promise – it’s a present reality.

“Whether it’s helping draft documents, preparing lesson plans, or cutting down on routine admin, AI tools are saving civil servants time every day.

“That means we can focus more on delivering faster, more personalised support where it really counts.”

The trial of 20,000 civil servants found that using AI for everyday tasks saved users an average of 26 minutes per day, demonstrating AI’s potential to handle routine administrative tasks.

📖 What we’re reading

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has outlined its vision for the Casey Commission, emphasising the crucial need for systemic and cultural change within public services.

In a blog post, published on 29 May 2025, Kathryn Smith, chief executive of SCIE, highlights how the commission presents a vital opportunity to address deep-seated issues that impact public trust and the overall quality of care.

Smith says that the commission must “set a new standard: co-production not as consultation but as governance”.

She cautions against viewing social care as a standalone service, instead encouraging the commission to take a holistic view of the care system, including housing, mental health, healthcare and community support.

SCIE also hopes that the first phase of the commission, due to report in 2026, will make a case for prevention and early support both fiscally and strategically. It calls for support for paid and unpaid carers to help ensure people’s care experiences and outcomes by reducing poor care coordination and safety risks.

🚨Upcoming events

17-18 July, University of Warwick – Summer Schools 2025