In episode 41, Mandy Haeburn-Little is joined by Justene Ewing, Vice President, Health, Care and Life Sciences for UK & Australia at CGI.

It is a fascinating conversation that explores the role technology plays in healthcare and the associated risks as we adopt digital solutions to improve services and productivity.

Justene outlines some of what we already know about the Government's 10-year healthcare plan; primarily that the following three essential elements will be the main focus:

1. Helping people to stay in their home environment
2. The role that data will play in helping the NHS workforce and the patients, and the family's relationship with their data
3. Prevention before cure

Justene explains why digital and data is the 'Golden Thread' running through all three, and why it is increasingly vital to help cope with the demands and pressure on the NHS, which is set to increase significantly in the coming years.

Justene highlights that while digital can improve productivity, she warns that the more we rely on and introduce digital solutions, the greater the risks become. She also believes that while it is getting better, there are still misconceptions around the board table about the scale of the risk, and perhaps even whose 'headache' it is! But, she also acknowledges there's no easy solution because budgets, resources, and capabilities are all very challenging.

On the fascinating topic of AI, Justene touches on the misuse of tools like ChatGPT, which is caused purely by a lack of understanding of the risk and where the data is shared. She advises that while they are great tools that will save time, the risk must be adequately managed.

Justene cites some good examples of how AI is being used to make a difference in healthcare in areas like screening and bed management. These are excellent examples of how AI has been developed with a purpose, rather than innovation for innovation's sake. Her main point around the increasing adoption of AI solutions is that we must ensure there is complete transparency so that we have total confidence in data and that there will always be humans in the loop.

It is a fascinating conversation and insight into the adoption of technology in the health sector and why we must ensure the data is safe in order to prevent the disruption and threat to critical care at all times.