Adrian Smith, Health and Social Care Lead at West Midlands 5G has explored the role connected procedures can play in an increasing clinical capacity and patient access for Digital Leaders magazine.
In many cases, technologies and new ways of working can improve efficiency, time, and resources, while also ensuring improved patient experience and outcomes, enhancing access to experts and treatment options.
Connectivity is the key underpinning requirement for delivering this transformational change the healthcare sector needs. Connectivity enables us to unlock the true power of digital solutions across care pathways by providing ubiquitous, robust access to healthcare provision at the point of need. Rather than just being available at the hospital or clinic, these can be delivered in the community or at the patient’s home.
5G technology offers ultra-fast speeds, greater security, and lower latency (the speed from action to reaction) compared to its predecessors.
These improvements to connectivity have enabled healthcare providers to feel confident that the privacy of patient data is fully maintained while operating remotely. Likewise, 5G mitigates the very serious and potentially life-threatening risk of spotty reception or disconnection which with previous generation networks was a barrier to making digital procedures more widespread.
