Martha Lane Fox to work with National Information Board
Health Secretary asks Martha Lane Fox to work with NIB to increase take-up of digital innovations in health to support citizens.
Health minister Jeremy Hunt has announced that Martha Lane Fox, the former government digital champion, is to develop practical proposals for NIB on how to ensure increased take-up of new digital innovations in health.
Jeremy Hunt said:
If we are to embrace the potential for technology to shift power to patients, we need patients to be willing and able to harness that technology. Digital inclusion is as vital in healthcare as everywhere else - not least because some of the greatest impacts of new technology in health is with the most vulnerable patients.
I have therefore asked Martha Lane Fox to develop some practical proposals for the NHS National Information Board before the end of the year as to how we can increase take-up of new digital innovations in health by those who will benefit from them the most.
Tim Kelsey, chair of the NIB and national director for patients and information at NHS England, said:
The NIB really looks forward to working with Martha on how best to support patients and citizens take up new digital innovations in health and care. Digital inclusion is vital and a key priority of ‘Personalised Health and Care 2020’, the NIB framework for action.
Everybody who wants to take advantage of new opportunities offered by technology to improve their health and wellbeing - and to support themselves when they are ill - must be able to do so.
Further details will be announced shortly but in the meantime have your say on the proposals set out in the roadmaps - email NIBframework@dh.gsi.gov.uk.