‘Postcode lottery’ in robotic surgery access for patients, data shows NHS patients in England are facing a “postcode lottery” in access to robotic-assisted surgery, analysis by RCS England shows.

NHS patients in England are facing a “postcode lottery” in access to robotic-assisted surgery, according to an analysis by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England).

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/post...

Digital Health Coffee Time Briefing ☕ Today's briefing features news about guidelines for AI in social care and funding for a virtual AI biotech lab.

☕ Coffee Time Briefing ☕

Today’s briefing features news about guidelines for AI in social care and funding for a virtual AI biotech lab.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/digi...

People want reform of AI regulation in healthcare but not overhaul Concerns about safety, oversight and liability are shaping public attitudes to the regulation of AI in healthcare, according to the MHRA.

Concerns about safety, oversight and liability are driving concerns about the use of AI in healthcare, according to findings from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/peop...

Buckinghamshire trust signs System C deal for AI-scribing in EPR Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has signed a contract with System C to implement AI-scribing through its electronic patient record.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has signed a contract with System C to implement AI-scribing through its electronic patient record (EPR).

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/buck...

AI tool allows a million patients to book appointments via NHS App An AI triage tool has been integrated into the NHS App, allowing more than a million patients to book appointments directly with clinicians.

An AI triage tool has been integrated into the NHS App, allowing more than a million patients to directly book appointments with clinicians.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/ai-t...

NHS App 'not improving patients’ views on NHS admin' The NHS App is failing to improve how patients perceive NHS administration despite rising adoption, according to The King's Fund.

The NHS App is failing to improve how patients perceive NHS administration despite rising adoption, according to research from The King’s Fund.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/nhs-...

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys signs contract to deploy Access EPR Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust has signed a contract with The Access Group to implement its Rio Evo EPR.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) has signed a contract with The Access Group to implement its electronic patient record (EPR) system.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/tees...

Cheshire neighbourhood care model reduces A&E attendances A data-driven neighbourhood care programme across eight care communities in Cheshire East has reduced A&E attendances by up to 48%.

A data-driven neighbourhood care programme spanning eight care communities in Cheshire East has reduced A&E attendances by up to 48% in targeted areas.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/ches...

Palantir's NHS contract could end if others 'can do the job better' Health minister Zubir Ahmed said that Palantir’s NHS data contract could be reconsidered if other firms “can do the job better”.

Health minister Zubir Ahmed has signalled that the government could consider alternatives to Palantir’s NHS federated data platform (FDP) when the contract reaches its break clause.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/pala...

Digital Health’s monthly roundup of contracts and go lives This roundup of contracts and go lives features multiple EPR contracts, including Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

This roundup of contracts and go lives features multiple electronic patient record (EPR) contracts, including Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/digi...

Cera launches AI lab to address global care capacity challenges Cera has launched an AI lab to develop tools aimed at improving care capacity and reducing pressure on health systems.

Digital-first home healthcare firm has announced the launch of an AI lab, backed by an eight-figure investment, to develop tools aimed at tackling global care capacity and workforce challenges.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/cera...

Digital Health Coffee Time Briefing ☕ Today's briefing features a Scottish Ambulance Service pilot of a volunteer responder app and a tender for a digital physiotherapy service.

☕ Coffee Time Briefing ☕

Today’s briefing features a Scottish Ambulance Service pilot of a volunteer responder app and a tender for a digital physiotherapy service.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/digi...

NHS England investigating compromised GP websites NHS England are investigating as more NHS provider websites have been compromised and are now linking to adult content.

NHS England is investigating a cyber issue which has caused several NHS providers’ websites to be linked to adult content.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/nhse...

NHSE official warns staff over criticism of Palantir’s FDP A senior NHS official is reported to have warned staff about voicing criticism on the rollout of the federated data platform (FDP).

A senior NHS official is reported to have warned staff about voicing criticism on the rollout of the federated data platform (FDP).

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/nhse...

Liverpool University Hospitals selects Nervecentre to supply EPR Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Nervecentre to supply its new electronic patient record (EPR) system.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has appointed UK firm Nervecentre to supply its new electronic patient record (EPR) system.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/live...

Why 2026 is the pivot point for electronic health records The UK’s digital health future depends on predictive care, according to 2026 electronic health record analysis from Market Intelo.

Opinion 🗣️

The shift from adoption to predictive, data-driven care will determine whether digital investments deliver transformation, writes Ashish Kolte, editorial and relationships manager at Market Intelo.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/why-...

Are we ready to put innovation at the centre of women’s health? The success of the Women’s Health Strategy will depend on whether innovation can be adopted at scale, writes Dr MaryAnn Ferreux

Opinion 🗣️

The success of the Women’s Health Strategy will depend on whether innovation can be adopted at scale, writes Dr MaryAnn Ferreux, chief medical officer at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/are-...

CQC compliance toolkit launched to support private health clinics Semble has launched a ‘CQC Companion’ toolkit to help private healthcare providers prepare for inspections and maintain compliance.

Semble has launched an online toolkit designed to help private healthcare providers prepare for Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections and maintain compliance.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/cqc-...

£1.5m FemTech fund launched under Women's Health Strategy A £1.5 million FemTech challenge fund will be launched as part of the government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy which was published today.

A £1.5 million FemTech challenge fund to accelerate the adoption of innovations for women’s healthcare is being launched as part of the government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/1-5m...

DHSC invests in scanning and diagnostic equipment for CDCs The government is investing in scanning and diagnostic equipment for 36 new and expanded Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs).

The government is investing in scanning and diagnostic equipment for 36 new and expanded Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in England.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/dhsc...

Digital Health Coffee Time Briefing ☕ Today's briefing features Apple requiring health app developers to declare if their app is classified as a regulated medical device.

☕ Coffee Time Briefing ☕

Today’s briefing features Apple requiring health app developers to declare if their app is classified as a regulated medical device.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/digi...

NICE speakers confirmed for Digital Health Summer Schools 2026 Two speakers from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have been confirmed for Digital Health Summer Schools 2026.

Two speakers from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have been confirmed for Digital Health Summer Schools 2026.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/nice...

Kent and Medway mental health appointments launch online Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has a launched a portal to give patients 24/7 online access to their mental health appointments.

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has a launched My Health and Care Record to give patients online access to their mental health appointments.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/kent...

MHRA secures £3.6m to expand AI regulatory sandbox The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has secured funding to expand its AI Airlock regulatory sandbox.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has secured a funding uplift to expand its AI Airlock programme, a regulatory sandbox for AI as a medical device.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/mhra...

IBM awarded £160m to transform NHS App into 'health companion' NHS England has awarded a contract worth more than £160m to IBM for the supplier to support the development of the NHS App.

NHS England has awarded IBM a £160.1 million contract to support the development of the NHS App, as it looks to transform the platform into a personalised “health companion”.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/ibm-...

AI-scribing to be rolled out across UK's second largest dental group Dental group PortmanDentex has announced a two‑year partnership with Heidi to roll out AI-scribing software and other clinical AI tools.

Dental group PortmanDentex has announced a two‑year partnership with Heidi Health, marking one of the largest deployments of clinical AI in dentistry across the UK and Ireland to date.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/ai-s...

NHS Scotland websites linking to adult and illegal sports content NHS Glasgow's cyber security team is working with a GP practice after its website was linked to adult content and illegal sports streams.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde cyber security team is working with a GP practice after its website was linked to adult content and illegal sports streams.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/nhs-...

AI-powered app for long-terms conditions rolled out in Warrington An AI system to help patients manage long-term health conditions is being rolled out in GP surgeries across Warrington.

An AI system to help patients manage long-term health conditions is being rolled out in GP surgeries across Warrington to help reduce pressure on NHS services.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/aide...

Movers and Shakers news roundup This roundup includes a host of NHS England departures as well as a new national chief digital, data and technology officer.

This Movers and Shakers roundup includes a host of NHS England departures as well as a new national chief digital, data and technology officer across the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/move...

Palantir staff being issued NHS email accounts sparks concerns Concerns are being raised by NHS staff that engineers working for US software firm Palantir have been issued NHS email accounts.

Concerns have been raised by NHS staff that engineers working for Palantir have been issued NHS email accounts.

www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/pala...