Robots on the NHS to help dementia patients

THE NHS will employ robots to assist dementia patients and “virtual health coaches” to nudge families into healthier lifestyles, as part of efforts to relieve rising pressure on services.

The Health Secretary said Britain should follow Japan in embracing technology to produce “world-beating” outcomes, by keeping people healthier for longer. His comments came as the head of a review of health innovation promised “profound” shifts in the delivery of care, with a major expansion in robotics and artificial intelligence.

The plans, commissioned by Jeremy Hunt, aim to ensure that NHS staff are trained to keep up with pioneering advances to improve diagnosis and treatment of disease, and prevent ill health.

However, the interim findings from Dr Eric Topol, the US geneticist, also warn of a major ethical debate ahead, in particular about the use of “pervasive surveillance techniques … that many consider highly intrusive”.

The use of robots to provide care to the vulnerable is among the most contentious areas in the field.

Dr Topol said the NHS should learn from places such as Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, which are among the most advanced in the use of robotics.

“I’ve seen the work going on in Japan, and the potential it has for people with dementia and for those who are frail and elderly,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“It is really impressive. Senior people are developing an emotional relationship with them and they are getting a tremendous amount of support.” Speaking ahead of the 70th anniversary of the NHS, Mr Hunt said: “Our system has come through the last 70 years famous for being the most equitable healthcare system in the world – now is the time to embrace technology so that we become world-beating in the excellence of our outcomes as well.”

Today he will announce an extra £215million of funds for NHS research involving innovation and technology.