Our latest news in brief is here, covering news from an AI dermatology tool receiving regulatory clearance, Babylon publishing its financial results for the year, System C updating its systems inline with clinical data recording practices and lots more…
System C updates systems for Commissioning Data Sets v6.3 delivery
System C has announced the completion of a programme of work to update its systems inline with Commissioning Data Sets (CDS) v6.3 clinical and data recording practices.
The company said the roll-out of the new release began in March 2022 to three of its customers using the CareFlow EPR, with an aim to update all its customers by April 2023.
The CDS v6.3 changes are being introduced nationally to update clinical and data recording practices, to support recent policy initiatives and enable conformance with other information standards and legislation introduced since CDS v6.2 went live. The CDS v6.3 update enables SNOMED CT codes to be submitted, including those relating to COVID-19 and introduces updates to data items to conform with recent NHS Data Model and Dictionary changes.
Markus Bolton, System C joint CEO, said: “We are obviously delighted and relieved to have completed this piece of work. Whilst we understand the importance of changes such as these, they are a massive burden on our development and delivery teams and for our customers. It was however essential that we delivered in time for our client trusts to meet their contractual commitments and we are pleased to have achieved that.”
To find out more, visit the NHS Digital Commissioning Data Sets webpage here.
Babylon announces full-year results
Babylon has announced its financial and operating results for its fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2021.
In its fourth quarter the company’s total revenue was $119.7 million compared to $41.0 million for the quarter in the previous year. For the full year, total revenue was $322.9 million, compared to $79.3 million in 2020.
For the year, the company’s loss for the period totalled $374.5 million; adjusted for a one-time, non-cash recapitalisation transaction expense of $148.7 million relating to its listing – the loss for the period totalled $225.8 million.
Ali Parsa, CEO and Founder of Babylon, commented: “In 2021, Babylon remained one of the fastest growing digital health companies, delivering a revenue increase of over four times compared to 2020. We have done that while maintaining our high clinical quality standards and customer satisfaction ratings, with 90% five star ratings. We expect to continue our high growth in 2022, but now that we have a substantial footprint, we will focus on margin improvement that comes with scale and building out our technology advantage to anchor our high margin software licensing growth in 2023. Companies deliver because their people deliver: I would like to thank all Babylonians for their hard work in a challenging year, and look forward to continuing to deliver in 2022.”
Join us for HTN Digital ICS
Join HTN and colleagues on 17 May for a one-day online event focused on digital Integrated Care Systems.
The conference will provide a place to share innovations that can support digital ICSs, and hear from digital leaders who will discuss how they are tackling some of the challenges, sharing some of their approaches to system-wide working.
The agenda will be revealed next week, featuring ICS digital strategies, building a digital workforce and practical innovations to support plans.
You can register your ticket for free here.
New diagnostic test for lung cancer identifies high-risk patients pre-symptoms
Ccreen +, a new diagnosis test said to identify high-risk patients for lung cancer before they have shown any symptoms, has been developed by Welsh diagnostics company iOmics Ltd.
Using lateral flow technology, Cscreen + aims to provide an annual lung cancer screening for high-risk smokers aged 45 and above. The product is currently at the ‘MVP’ stage, ready for final validation, following the successful completion of initial clinical trials.
Their research was funded by around £2 million from the Welsh Government Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) scheme, NHS Wales, and a £1m development grant from Innovate UK and the Canadian Government, along with academics and founders.
Portsmouth Hospitals University’s digital maternity services awarded over £140,000
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust’s digital maternity services has been awarded more than £140,000 in national funding.
The funding will be utilised to automate administrative systems to free up staff time, improve Wi-Fi access and employ a short-term transformation lead to outline other areas of digital improvement.
The money will also be used to purchase a range of mobile phones, computers, PC screens and laptops for all maternity teams – including the trust’s Community and Continuity teams.
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery implants cardiac monitors in patients
The stroke team at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) are implanting cryptogenic stroke patients with heart monitors to assist in identifying the cause of a stroke.
The Reveal LINQ II device, made by Medtronic, is one third of the size of an AAA battery. It is said to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) in cryptogenic strokes or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA). The patient’s heart rhythms are sent to stroke nurses and cardiac physiologists via mobile app or Bluetooth monitor, allowing them to monitor the rhythms remotely. The monitoring can continue for three to five years following implantation.
Dr Arvind Chandratheva, NHNN Consultant Neurologist, said: “There are a significant number of strokes where the cause is not clear. Being able to monitor our patients with the implantable loop recorders as quickly as possible to establish if atrial fibrillation is the cause is a huge step forward. Not only does it help to reassure patients, it means that we in the stroke service can manage their care throughout. This service highlights timely investigation and continuity of care.”
Nurses at the NHNN have successfully implanted eight patients to date, and the NHNN is currently running a pilot of 20 cases to gather evidence for a formal business case for commissioners.
Skin Analytics receives Class IIA status
AI dermatology company Skin Analytics has received regulatory clearance in the UK for the company’s medical device, DERM.
The AI technology is designed to support clinicians with a decision support service, and has so far assessed more than 23,000 NHS patients, finding 1,473 skin cancers and avoided 4,713 dermatology appointments, the company said.
James Hamlyn, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Director of Skin Analytics commented: “Achieving Class IIA UKCA certification is therefore a significant milestone for our field and is a tribute to our organisation’s rigorous quality and evidence standards. We know that the vast majority of patients on the skin cancer pathway last year were not urgent and DERM is able to support the NHS in their outpatient recovery work for dermatology. Working with our partners, we have the potential to drastically reduce patient wait times, unlock new access pathways for patients and reduce healthcare inequalities across the board.”
