Professor Joe Harrison talks technology, transforming culture and training doctors at the UK’s first independent medical school, with a focus on healthtech integration.

Professor Joe Harrison is CEO of the Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. He has been an NHS Acute Hospital Chief Executive for over ten years. Along with an ambitious digital innovation programme, Joe has championed workplace wellbeing to improve the working lives of the team at MKUH.

Introduction

In recent discussions, there has been a prevailing sentiment of uncertainty surrounding the NHS and the social care sector. As the Chief Executive of Milton Keynes University Health NHS Foundation Trust, I find myself frequently reflecting on the state of our healthcare system and the imperative need for transformative change. This sense of urgency is a matter of laying a robust foundation for the future. It was this very perspective that I recently shared in an engaging podcast with Suhail Mirza from Voices of Care.

The Workforce Crisis and HealthTech Solutions

Jeremy Hunt recently described the current situation as the greatest workforce crisis our nation has ever seen. It is a stark but accurate reflection of where we are. With six-figure vacancies plaguing the NHS, the metaphor of the Titanic resonates deeply. But rather than succumbing to despair, we must seek out the lifeboats, including innovative healthtech solutions. At Milton Keynes, we are actively working to attract and retain talent by creating an environment where our staff feel valued and supported, enhanced by cutting-edge healthtech tools.

Our partnership with Buckingham University to establish the UK’s first independent medical school is a testament to this. By training future doctors locally and exposing them to the latest healthtech innovations, we instil a sense of community and belonging. This initiative, launched in 2015, has already produced several hundred qualified doctors contributing significantly to our local healthcare landscape.

Wellness at the Heart of Our Strategy

The wellness of our workforce is not just a strategic priority; it is a moral imperative. The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on our clinical staff. They have faced relentless pressure and the emotional toll of the crisis. As a Trust, we are committed to supporting our team through comprehensive wellness initiatives.

From offering free car parking and electric vehicle charging to providing healthy, affordable meals, we are making tangible efforts to ease the everyday burdens on our staff. Moreover, we have introduced flexible working contracts, recognising that the traditional shift system does not suit everyone. Healthtech plays a crucial role in facilitating this flexibility, allowing for remote consultations and efficient scheduling.

Embracing Digital Transformation through HealthTech

Looking to the future, our digital strategy aims to integrate healthtech seamlessly into our operations, enhancing both patient care and workforce efficiency. Significantly, we have invested heavily in infrastructure, ensuring that our hospital boasts some of the best Wi-Fi in the sector. This foundational work enables us to leverage advanced healthtech solutions such as electronic patient records and predictive analytics.

Smart healthcare environments powered by healthtech are the next frontier. By utilising machine learning and AI-driven healthtech, we can prioritise the most critical cases and streamline diagnostics. Also, this allows our clinicians to focus their expertise where it is needed most. We also recognise the importance of patient engagement through healthtech. Providing patients with real-time access to their health records empowers them to take an active role in their care. This promotes better health outcomes and more efficient use of NHS resources.

The Road Ahead

Our vision is clear: to create a healthcare system that is resilient, innovative, and above all, focused on the well-being of both patients and staff, underpinned by cutting-edge healthtech solutions. The journey is complex, but with strategic initiatives in workforce wellness and digital transformation through healthtech, we are well on our way to building a future-ready NHS.

By fostering an environment of continuous learning and technological advancement, Milton Keynes University Health NHS Foundation Trust is setting the stage for a sustainable and thriving healthcare system. The challenges are significant, but so too is our resolve to harness the power of healthtech.

Thank you for engaging with these critical issues. Together, we can navigate the complexities of our healthcare landscape and ensure a brighter, healthier future for all.