Yesterday, the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group (APHG) hosted a parliamentary roundtable discussion on ‘Shifting from Analogue to Digital Systems: Realising the NHS Fit for the Future vision’. Proposed as one of the three primary shifts required to make the NHS “fit for the future”, this transition focuses on embedding technological innovation and digital transformation across the health service.

Chaired by Dr Simon Opher MP, the discussion brought together expert stakeholders from across the healthcare system, industry, academia, and Parliament to explore the key challenges and opportunities presented by this digital shift.

Speakers included:

• Professor Zoheir Sabeur, Professor of Data Science and Artificial Intelligenc, Bournemouth University

• Colin Edmondson, Director of Commercial Excellence Strategy, BD

• Melanie Venables, Director of Policy and Communications, Professional Standards Authority

• Professor David Strain, Chair, BMA Board of Science

The discussion highlighted several critical issues, including the lack of infrastructure across the UK necessary to enable the transition, alongside concerns about patient safety, the role of medical training and professional judgement in mitigating potential errors, and the need for up-to-date, bias-free training data.

Participants also examined the risks associated with using artificial intelligence in medical care and the importance of understanding its real-world impacts on both patients and healthcare professionals.

At the same time, several delegates emphasised the immense potential of digital technologies, including AI, to enhance care delivery. A key theme that emerged was the need to strike the right balance between regulation and innovation to ensure that digital transformation strengthens both the NHS and patient outcomes.

Parliamentary attendees included Sadik Al-Hassan MP, Baroness Ritchie, and Baroness Watkins of Tavistock.

This roundtable forms part of APHG’s ongoing programme of work exploring the shift from analogue to digital systems. Policy Connect is also considering a wider inquiry on this theme. If you are interested in engaging with us on this topic, please get in touch at lavanya.rangarajan [at] policyconnect.org.uk (lavanya[dot]rangarajan[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk).