Event round-up: Technology’s role in integrating health and care to deliver better outcomes - part of Leeds Digital Festival 2023

We were delighted to host a session in partnership with our members Tunstall, part of the Digital Health and Care Event, organised by Leeds City Council, on Tuesday 25 April, where we discussed the role technologies have in integrating health and care to deliver better outcomes.

We were joined by Chris Marsh, Head of Account Management at Patients Know Best, where they focus on empowering patients to take more control of their healthcare. Mark Oldfield, Solutions Consultant at Tunstall, telehealth and telecare provider, talked about the work the organisation is doing to provide solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. Liam King, Group Interoperability Director at EMIS Group, talked about the focus they have on sharing patient data for direct care needs in real time.

Angus Honeysett, Head of Market Access at Tunstall and co-chair of techUK’s Social Care Working Group, chaired the panel discussion, where he highlighted the need to provide the best integrated solutions for citizens and enable them to manage their conditions remotely, as well as the fact that data shouldn’t be asked repeatedly from the patient. We looked at the importance of thinking about the patient as a stakeholder and contributing to their own healthcare record. However, on a broader perspective, all speakers highlighted that stakeholders from public and private sectors need to work better together, leveraging the opportunities brought by ICSs and the aim to improve collaboration.

The discussion also highlighted that while technology is not a replacement for traditional care, it should be used to free up capacity for staff. We need to use tech to support the workforce and to have real consideration for the staff that need to use tech but also carry on with their work as usual. There have to be tangible benefits for the workforce when we are looking to implement certain tech and digital solutions. For this to become everyday practice, we need to focus on culture change and keep things simple, meaningful and explain to staff the reason for implementing tech and taking them on a journey with us. We also looked at the barriers to use tech, with the main one being the interoperability piece, where we have many solutions but that all need to come together as one. We also need to acknowledge the education piece and the need for more upskilling.

A few takeaways from the conversation in terms of what we can do right now to improve outcomes for citizens are:

- Making the tech currently available accessible
- Ensuring we use the tech we have e.g. shared care records – replicating good practice and helping to support staff
- Engaging with citizens at an early stage and finding out what solutions they need, ultimately creating and designing solutions that are simple and easy to use

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Ileana Lupsa

Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK

Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.

Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.

She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.

Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.

Email:: [email protected]
Twitter:: @IleanaLupsa
Website:: www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:: www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa

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Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.

Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.

Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.

He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: techuk.org,,techuk.org,

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Leontina Postelnicu

Head of Health and Social Care, techUK

Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.

A former journalist, Leontina previously worked for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an associate editor for its International and Media divisions. There, she covered the EMEA region for Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV, with a focus on policy and innovation, and contributed to the Women in Health IT newsletter and HIMSS Insights eBook.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dancing, travelling and visiting her family in Romania, where she hails from.

Email:: [email protected]

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Robert Walker

Head of Health & Social Care, techUK

Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.

Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.

Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!

Email:: [email protected]

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techUK – Building Stronger Local Economies

techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience. We provide opportunities for our members and local stakeholders to meet, build relationships, and collaborate to drive forward local projects. For more information or to get in touch, please visit our Nations and Regions Hub and click ‘contact us’.