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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
How AI could help slash NHS hospital discharge delays
How AI could help slash NHS hospital discharge delays A new trial hopes to help doctors spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients The roll out a new AI backed project (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror) Technology is being piloted to help free up NHS hospital beds occupied by people who are fit to be sent home. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help complete the documents needed to discharge patients, potentially saving hours of delays. AI will extract information from medical records, including diagnoses and test results, to help medics draft discharge summaries before a patient goes home. The Press Association reports the move – which is being piloted at London's Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust – will allow doctors to spend less time on paperwork and more on care, according to UK health secretary Wes Streeting. After a discharge summary is drafted with AI assistance, the document will be reviewed by healthcare professionals responsible for the patient. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter . The current manual system can sometimes leave patients waiting for hours to be discharged as doctors may be too busy to fill in forms, according to the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. We have asked the Welsh Government if it plans to take the technology forward in Wales. Mr Streeting has made clear he hopes to roll it out across England, saying: 'This potentially transformational discharge tool is a prime example of how we're shifting from analogue to digital as part of our 10-year health plan. 'We're using cutting-edge technology to build an NHS fit for the future and tackle the hospital backlogs that have left too many people waiting too long. Article continues below 'Doctors will spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, getting people home to their families faster and freeing up beds for those who need them most.' The tool for discharge summaries is not the only AI project backed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In January he said AI will be used to 'turn around' the economy and public services. And AI technology that helps organise notes quicker will be given to all 12,000 probation officers later this year. The system helps transcribe and take notes from meetings that officers have with offenders after they leave prison. Speaking on a visit to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the UK's technology secretary Peter Kyle said: 'This is exactly the kind of change we need – AI being used to give doctors, probation officers and other key workers more time to focus on delivering better outcomes and speeding up vital services. 'This Government inherited a public sector decimated by years of underinvestment and is crying out for reform. These AI exemplars show the best ways in which we're using tech to build a smarter, more efficient state. 'When we get this right across government, we're talking about unlocking £45billion in productivity gains, delivering our plan for change and investing in growth, not bureaucracy.' Article continues below
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Welsh NHS will only help terminally ill end their life if Senedd agrees first
Welsh NHS will only help terminally ill end their life if Senedd agrees first The Senedd will get a say in whether the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will include the Welsh NHS Assisted dying bill protestors gather outside the House of Commons (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror ) The Welsh NHS will only will assist terminally ill people to die if the Senedd agrees to it, the Welsh Parliament has been told. Last week MPs in the House of Commons agreed to legalise an assisted dying bill for terminally ill people in England and Wales. However, the Welsh Parliament has been told today - Wednesday, June 25 - that Senedd members will have a vote on whether assisted dying services will be available in the public sector via the Welsh NHS. As healthcare is devolved in Wales, questions have arisen as to how the new law will work here. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The Senedd will get a say on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in Wales (Image: Senedd Cymru ) In October 2024, the Senedd voted against a law allowing assisted dying to be introduced in Wales. But, last week, a suggestion of allowing the Senedd to have a veto over all the important parts of the law was taken out by MPs. Article continues below Today, Counsel General Julie James was asked by MS Tom Giffard whether the Senedd will have a say in the decision regarding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. He asked: "Can you outline what discussions you have had with the UK Government to stand up for the voice of this Senedd, to ensure that we do have a say? "And do you have an assurance from the UK Government that, if this LCM in this Senedd produces a different outcome to the vote in Parliament, our decision will be respected by the UK Government?" Article continues below Ms James, the Welsh Government's most senior legal adviser, confirmed: "Just to reassure the member, and, indeed, all Members of the Senedd, the Bill still contains the key provisions that mean that the NHS or any public body in Wales will not be able to provide voluntary assisted dying services until regulations have been laid by Ministers and there has been an affirmative vote in the Senedd to that effect." A vote is expected to take place in the Senedd this autumn regarding the bill and whether it agrees to the legislation applying in areas controlled by the Senedd.
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Senedd denied veto over whether assisted dying becomes legal in Wales
Senedd denied veto over whether assisted dying becomes legal in Wales The new bill would allow those aged over 18 and with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to die Assisted dying bill protestors gather outside the House of Commons (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror ) MPs in the House of Commons have denied Welsh Parliament a potential veto over whether assisted dying will become legal in Wales. A change made to the bill at an earlier stage, which would have given members of the Senedd the power to decide when the law comes into force, has now been reversed. It means that now, both the UK Government and the Senedd will have the power to pass the regulations on assisted dying services in Wales. A significant decision remains for the Senedd, in a vote set to take place in Autumn, on whether to give consent to the legislation. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . On Friday, MPs voted on whether the bill proceeds for House of Lords consideration. Whilst criminal justice is controlled by the UK Government, health in Wales is handled by the Senedd. It is unclear what would happen in Wales did not come on board. The assisted dying legislation was drawn up by MP Kim Leadbeater. But amendments were made to remove commencement powers for the Senedd, added at an earlier stage by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney. The amendments of the Senedd's powers were passed with 274 votes and 224 against, and "reflected that criminal law is not the Senedd's responsibility". Article continues below Under current law, encouraging or assisting suicide is illegal in England and Wales, with a maximum jail sentence of 14 years. The new bill would allow those aged over 18 and with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to die. During the historic vote in November last year, Alex Barros-Curtis, Anna McMorrin, and Jo Stevens, the MPs for Cardiff West, Cardiff North, and Cardiff East respectively all voted in favour. Meanwhile, Stephen Doughty, the MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, voted against. In Swansea, Torsten Bell, representing Swansea West, voted in favour, while Carolyn Harris, the MP for Neath and Swansea East, did not record a vote. In Newport, Ruth Jones, the MP for Newport West and Islwyn, and Jessica Morden, the MP for Newport East, both voted against the Bill. Article continues below Bridgend MP Chris Emore voted in favour, as did Ceredigion Preseli MP Ben Lake. Caerfyrddin's Ann Davies voted against. And in north Wales, Wrexham's Andrew Ranger, Bangor Aberconwy's Claire Hughes, and Alyn and Deeside's Mark Tami all voted in favour.
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Immigration is an economic necessity without which Scotland risks long-term decline
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK Government's latest White Paper on immigration reform sets a clear and concerning economic trajectory. While legislative changes will take time, the implications for Scotland's economy, labour market, and long-term demographic health cannot be overstated. Immigration policy is not simply a legal or political matter. It is an economic lever. One that must be calibrated to support growth, innovation, and inclusion across the country. Yet, the proposed changes risk placing further pressure on a fragile labour market, making it harder for businesses to recruit the people they need now, and plan for future success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Every region of the UK has different needs. For Scotland, immigration is not a choice but an economic necessity. This is backed by employers across every sector. Our most recent Scottish Chambers of Commerce business survey revealed how deeply workforce shortages are constraining our ability to grow and invest. Labour's White Paper on immigration risks causing damage to businesses in Scotland (Picture: Ian Vogler/pool) | POOL/AFP via Getty Images Scotland's rapidly ageing population The Scottish Government has sensibly proposed initiatives such as a rural worker visa scheme to address specific geographical concerns. Such place-based migration tools are common in other countries and should be urgently supported by the UK Government if they are serious about enabling growth in every UK nation and region. Scotland's demographic trajectory makes this all the more urgent. Our population is ageing rapidly. By 2045, there will be 65 per cent more Scots over the age of 75. Alarmingly, we are the only part of the UK projected to see an overall population decline. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This presents a generational challenge: a shrinking working-age population expected to fund and deliver growing health and social care services. The fiscal and social pressures will be enormous. We must therefore ask: how do we retain, attract and grow our working-age population in the face of these headwinds? Attracting international talent The answer lies in a combination of domestic talent development and bold, progressive migration policy. The evidence is clear: high-performing economies like Canada and Singapore have long embraced liberal migration systems. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These countries understand that attracting international talent and offering routes to settlement are not threats to cohesion but are investments in national prosperity. Scotland and the UK should be no different. Creating a landscape where people want to come, stay and thrive must now become a defining feature of our national strategy. That means aligning policies on housing, transport and digital infrastructure with a clear message: Scotland is open, competitive and welcoming. Practical solutions required This is not just a policy debate but an economic imperative. The decisions we make today will shape the nation our children and grandchildren inherit. Without decisive action to pull the levers which can address these issues, we risk managing long-term decline instead of unlocking long-term potential. Scotland has the talent, ambition and values to lead the way and, with the right tools, including a responsive immigration system, we can unlock even greater potential. We believe there is a real opportunity for the UK Government and Scotland's business community to work together to design practical solutions that reflect the needs of our economy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By taking a partnership approach, we can strengthen growth, address workforce challenges, and ensure Scotland remains a dynamic and competitive part of the UK economy.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Britons feel disconnected from society and lack faith in others
A survey of more than 13,000 British adults found 50% said they felt disconnected from society, while 44% said they sometimes felt like a 'stranger' in their own country. The findings come a week after Sir Keir Starmer argued that Britain risked becoming an 'island of strangers' if immigration did not come down. But the poll by More In Common suggested that the reasons for disconnection went beyond immigration and culture, with 47% of British Asians saying they felt like a stranger in their country – more than the 44% of white Britons who said the same thing. The survey found economic insecurity that was most closely related to alienation, with two-thirds of people who said that they struggled to make ends meet also saying they felt disconnected, compared to only 37% of the financially comfortable. Sir Keir Starmer said Britain risked becoming an 'island of strangers' if it did not get immigration numbers down, but a survey has suggested social disconnection is due to more than just migration (Ian Vogler/PA) Focus groups also suggested that a decline in face-to-face interaction, driven by technology, social media and working from home, had changed how people interacted with each other. Luke Tryl, director of More In Common, said the research showed 'an urgent need to think again about how we rebuild a united and cohesive society'. He added: 'The polling puts into sharp relief something that will come as no surprise to many Britons – a growing sense that we've turned inward, away from each other, becoming more distant and less connected.' The study marks the launch of a new national project – This Place Matters – focused on strengthening social bonds and backed by the UCL Policy Lab, campaign group Citizens UK and More In Common. Matthew Bolton, executive director of Citizens UK, said: 'The answers to this don't lie in Whitehall. 'By listening to people closest to the ground about what causes division and what builds unity in their neighbourhood, we can build a blueprint for cohesion rooted in local leadership and community power.' As well as increasing feelings of isolation, the poll suggested significant rates of mistrust, with 53% of people agreeing that 'you can't be too careful with most people'. But younger people were far more likely to lack trust in others, with the figure rising to 65% among 18-24-year-olds and 62% among 25-34-year-olds. The public is also split on whether multiculturalism benefits or threatens Britain's national identity, with 53% saying it is a benefit and 47% saying it is a threat, with some telling focus groups they believe there has not been enough integration. More In Common said focus groups had shown the fallout from last year's riots 'continues to reverberate and affect community cohesion', with many seeing the Prime Minister's response as 'one of his most impressive moments', but a minority feeling the Government had been 'too heavy-handed'. The More In Common poll surveyed 13,464 British adults between March 14 and April 7.
