The government has announced an investment of £30 million for innovative medical technology, in an attempt to reduce pressures on the NHS this winter.
Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) will be able to bid for a share of the fund to invest in the latest technology to cut waiting lists, speed up diagnosis and deliver new and improved ways to treat patients.
The money could be spent on expanding virtual wards; wearable medical devices for patients; or on digital 3D and other imaging technology.
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: "It is vital that clinicians have access to the latest technology to save staff time, deliver high quality care and help cut waiting lists – one of the government’s top five priorities.
"This investment will see the latest tech innovations rolled out across the NHS. From virtual ward beds to wearable medical devices, patients will be better supported, and we will ease pressures on hospitals this winter.
"We’re preparing for this winter earlier than ever before including delivering thousands more hospital beds and hundreds of new ambulances."
NHS interim national director of transformation Dr Vin Diwakar said: "The NHS’s world-leading ability to adopt new technology has already helped more than 210,000 patients be treated in their own homes through the rollout of virtual wards, and this new funding will allow the health service to adopt more innovations that improve patient care and reduce pressure on wider services."
