“The computer was scarier than dealing with the patients”

As a nurse, Sara Nelson, Programme Director of the DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, remembers the first computer on her NHS coronary care unit. It sat in the corner, and the staff found it scarier than dealing with the patients sitting opposite. That’s why supporting culture change and skills development is so important within NHS organisations when thinking about introducing new technologies; it’s not only about using technologies, it’s also about giving staff the confidence to go beyond use, and know what to look for when seeking new innovations to bring in.

Hear more from Sara, interviewed by Digital Health journalist Andrea Downey and joined by Elliott Engers, CEO of Infinity Health, and Rayna Patel, co-Founder of Vine Health, in this podcast which explores the need for accelerator programmes and the challenges start-ups face when turning their innovation from a working concept into reality.

DigitalHealth.London welcomed 20 start-ups and SMEs into the fourth cohort of its accelerator in September, including Vine Health – an AI and behavioural science solution to increase the quality of life and survival rate of cancer patients.

Infinity Health, a secure collaboration and task management app that allows healthcare teams to quickly share information on patients in their care, was included in the 2017-2018 cohort.

Between them they discuss the need for innovation in the NHS; how the accelerator programme is working with start-ups as well as clinicians; and the challenges they faced along the way.

You can also download the podcast from digitalhealth.podbean.com

Got a podcast suggestion? Email adowney@digitalhealth.net