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 

📉 Theatre staff at North Bristol NHS Trust’s Southmead Hospital were able to cut emissions by nearly 80% in a Green Operating Day trial within the neurosurgery team. Part of the project included using technology to support remote follow-ups for patients and the programming of devices to reduce patient travel. 

🔨 Work has started on construction of a brand-new diagnostic centre at Yeovil District Hospital which is set to open later this year. The state-of-the-art, stand-alone centre will provide over 70,000 diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments each year, with radiology and endoscopy services from InHealth. Other services will be provided by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. 

🧑 A Scottish startup has launched an innovative head impact monitoring device that could revolutionise the way we manage and prevent concussions in high-impact sports like mountain biking. HIT’s device uses advanced sensors and algorithms to track the force of head impacts in real-time, providing wearers with clear, actionable insights via a connected app. 

🧑‍🎓 Researchers are set to benefit from the launch of a new digital service developed by Research Data Scotland (RDS). The Researcher Access Service is a new streamlined end-to-end digital service that will enable academics and data users conducting research for the public good to access secure data in a faster and simpler way.

📱 Huma Therapeutics, a leader in global digital health innovation, together with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, has announced the launch of its innovative bladder cancer treatment companion app in the UK. This collaboration underscores Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Huma’s joint commitment to advancing patient-directed care and empowering patients and caregivers throughout their cancer care pathway. 

❓ Did you know that? 

Recent statistics show a significant increase in stress levels among people in the UK. In 2024, an alarming 63 percent of the UK population reported experiencing stress on a weekly basis, a substantial increase from a third of the population in previous years. This includes one in five individuals over the age of 16 feeling stressed every single day. This growing stress epidemic is leading to significant mental and physical health problems for the UK population.   

📺 What we’re watching

Webinar – Using digital tools to support children and young people – This recorded panel session includes Helen McGlinchey, head of services and clinical lead for schools at Northpoint, Dr Katie Young, principal digital health scientist at Amwell and Douglas Hiscock, behavioural health lead at Amwell. 

🚨 This week’s events 

1 May, London – The NHS AI Driven Productivity Conference