Tag: NHS
Mental Health app could help young people who self-harm
A smartphone app designed to manage negative emotions and periods of anxiety could help to reduce self-harm in young people, according to research. BlueIce is a prescribed app – meaning access must be given through medical professionals – and is designed to be used alongside traditional face-to-face therapies. It was developed by clinical psychologist Professor…
NHS cyber attack ‘hero’ thankful after avoiding jail in US on malware charges
The British computer expert who helped shut down the WannaCry cyber attack on the NHS said he is “incredibly thankful” after being spared jail in the US for creating malware. Marcus Hutchins was hailed as a hero in May 2017 when he found a “kill-switch” that slowed the effects of the WannaCry virus affecting more…
Urinary tract infections smartphone app test could save NHS millions
A smartphone app test could save the NHS millions of pounds by helping women find out if they have a urinary tract infection without having to see a doctor. Women will be offered a Dip UTI test – a standard dipstick urine test used by GPs with a smartphone app that can accurately scan the…
Now Google admits listening to your smart speaker recordings
Following Amazon's admission that Alexa listens to your recordings, Google too has now said it gives workers access to audio recordings from its Google Home smart speakers. The technology giant said it uses language experts around the world to study a small number of audio “snippets” from users. Google said this work helps with developing…
You can’t trust tech firms with anonymous NHS data, survey suggests
The majority of the public would not trust NHS patient data being in the hands of multinational tech giants, even if it is made anonymous and unidentifiable, a survey suggests. While seven in 10 people acknowledged that sharing anonymous patient data could improve healthcare and help develop more effective treatments, the same amount indicated that…
NHS ‘hero’ who shutdown WannaCry admits cybercrime charges in US
The British computer expert who helped shut down the WannaCry cyber attack on the NHS has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States, court documents show. Marcus Hutchins, 24, from Ilfracombe, Devon, who is also known as Malwaretech, said he had admitted two charges relating to writing malware. The cyber expert was hailed…
Smartphone ECG device should be rolled out across NHS
A smartphone ECG device which can be used to detect serious heart conditions should be rolled out to A&E departments across the country, researchers say. The technology was found to be five times more effective at diagnosing heart rhythm problems in patients than standard tests, according to a study part-funded by the British Heart Foundation…
Robots and AI will give doctors more time with patients, claims NHS report
Robots, artificial intelligence and smart speakers will unburden doctors to give them more time with patients, according to an NHS report on the pending technological “revolution” in healthcare. Rapid advances will also be spurred on by developments in the ability to sequence individuals’ genomes, the entirety of their genetic data, according to the “groundbreaking” review…
Scientists design ingestible electronic pill that can be controlled wirelessly
An electronic capsule that can be ingested and controlled wirelessly to deliver drugs has been designed by scientists, in an effort to reduce surgical procedures. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believe that the device could be used to provide drugs to users for a variety of diseases that require medication over longer periods…
MRI scanners named among top health innovations ever by UK universities
MRI scanners, prosthetic breasts for cancer patients and improvements to hip replacements have been cited among the best health innovations by UK universities. Health featured heavily on the University UK’s (UUK) list of major breakthroughs that have had a transformative impact on people’s lives. MRI scans were developed at the University of Nottingham in the…