We are hearing from Duncan Fleming, Director of Quality and Operations at Mountbatten, and Richard Eason, Systems Developer at Compitel, with their talk titled 'From Analogue to Digital'.

How can technology help us be more effective and efficient in our work? is what Duncan Fleming asked delegates.

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Duncan asked everyone to stand up and asked if everyone had used Microsoft Teams, if everyone had used contactless payment, if they used a wearable device like a smart watch, etc. Around 75% of the room was still standing at the end. This was a demonstration that technology is all around us. 

He described how we work 'a lot more mobile.' "Technology has changed the way we work." 

He noted the NHS 10 Year Plan, from analogue to digital, and how to embrace AI technology, as well as balancing up risks against opportunity. 

Richard Eason discussed AI tools and patient apps, "It gives patients an ability to use an app on their phones or tablets," and the app can be used to gauge with the people we care for. It allows them to message clinicians, make video calls, and view their own record, such as the NHS app, 'all from the comfort of their home.'

Also discussed was the Clinician App, which would allow clinicians to view their calendars, records, etc, all from their mobile phones, as well as being able to enter notes - using predictive texts to speed up the note taking process. 

"AI can be really powerful to help support our jobs," Richard said. "Our goal is to be able to use this to carry out less mundane tasks, and have helpful and timely information at our fingertips."

Richard then spoke about various different growing areas with tech that could be used, for example, with note taking, ie. speech to text, which would also be incredibly advantageous for those who are neurodivergent. Richard said that in the future, it would be possible that this could get rid of typing altogether.

He also mentioned Smart Letter Writing which could write CHC applications for a clinician using AI, which would save an enormous amount of time. 

"We have noticed that clinicians have huge caseloads so we made a caseload companion tool, where the system (AI and automation) makes a lists of patients in order where the ones at the top are the most in need." He noted that it didn't take anything away from the clinician, it was just to help and provide some advice. It can also identify missing data.

Duncan noted what the future might hold for us with technology, including AI Companions in people's homes and remote monitoring/self reporting. "We might want to make sure AI doesn't control us, but it already is to some extent."