September 18, 2018
New health secretary uses his first speech to extol GS1 initiatives and promise further tech spend
Stepping into the vacant spot at the Department of Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock gave an address at West Suffolk Hospital outlining a digital future for the NHS.
Confirming additional funding of £487m for local alliances of health and care providers – the Sustainable Transformation Partnerships (STPs) – he stated that the extra money would be primarily spent on transformational technology.
Mr Hancock affirmed that: “Our health system is uniquely placed to become the most advanced health system in the world – one where technology addresses the user need – making care better for patients, but just as importantly making life easier for staff.”
During his speech, he praised the GS1 UK supported Scan4Safety programme and the ability of barcode technology to improve patient safety.
“The patient safety agenda is important to me and I strongly believe that technology has the power to further enhance safety and improve outcomes for patients” he said.
He went on to signal barcoded patient wristbands and closed-loop medicines dispensing as examples of innovation in practice. Both use GS1 standards.
Responding to Mr Hancock’s address, the chief executive officer of GS1 UK, Gary Lynch, said: “GS1 UK’s efforts in healthcare are striking a chord with practitioners and policy makers alike.
“Our efforts are being used as an exemplar of best practice by the very people that head up the English healthcare sector and are responsible for the fifth largest employer in the world.
“The inroads we have made at the heart of government as trusted partners is a testament to the hard work and devotion of our team. They have forged the relationships that have embedded GS1 standards at the core of the NHS.”
See how GS1 standards are helping the NHS save thousands of lives and millions of pounds
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