Ministers eye new tech to automate NHS processes

NEW technology could save the NHS an estimated half a million hours a year in staff time by the middle of the decade, under plans to automate some behind-the-scenes tasks.

The Government will publish a new draft data strategy this week, aimed at saving lives by sharing more patient information to give them better access to healthcare.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the changes were being made after the coronavirus pandemic demonstrated the need for more effective use of data.

As well as using artificial intelligence (AI), the strategy will promote “robotic process automation”, which uses software to automate back-office processes.