Conference hears of potential for electronic health support technology

Published: 26-Jun-2014

Hitachi Consulting experts launch proof of concept project to identify people at risk of developing type-2 diabetes


Electronic health support services have the potential to create an NHS where chronic conditions, including diabetes, are anticipated and prevented before they develop, visitors to today’s Commissioning Show were told.

Representatives from Hitachi Consulting told delegates how they have recently launched a proof of concept project with Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and NorthWest EHealth (NWEH) which will use data to identify people at risk of developing type-2 diabetes to enable the NHS to effectively commission and target lifestyle interventions.

The aim is to empower and support these people to manage their own health and lifestyle, thereby preventing them from developing the condition in the first place.

“In the context of the UK’s growing and ageing population with increasingly-complex health conditions, data is vital to enable NHS commissioners to make informed decisions about how to allocate limited resources in the most-effective manner

The NHS currently spends about £14billion on treatment for type-2 diabetes and related conditions, such as eye and heart problems. It is hoped the project will identify how preventative measures could reduce this significantly.

Mark Hill, vice president of business intelligence and analytics at Hitachi Consulting, said: “In the context of the UK’s growing and ageing population with increasingly-complex health conditions, data is vital to enable NHS commissioners to make informed decisions about how to allocate limited resources in the most-effective manner.

“Hitachi will work in partnership with key stakeholders in the health economy to develop an approach that enables improved targeting of patients and better monitoring of their care through intelligent data management in a safe and secure environment.”

David Borrie, business intelligence consultant at Hitachi Consulting, added: “We are proud to be working with NWEH pioneering data solutions, which will help commissioners to address some of the current fundamental challenges for the NHS and to transform outcomes for patients through the use of technology.”

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