The Briefing Room - Ministry of Health Tech

With Wes Streeting’s departure as Health and Social Care Secretary and the situation over Palantir’s access to patient records going nuclear, we’ve got a bumper episode for you. We’re joined by the HSJ to go back to the beginning with the Federated Data Platform debacle and, with agentic AI for health offers booming from all the big players, Director of Health Policy at the Tony Blair Institute, Dr Charlotte Refsum, talks about who’s controlling the front door to the NHS. Whilst the centre continues to wobble we look at how communities and peer groups are stepping up to lead the innovation charge. Plus, event season is here and, with Confed Expo, HLTH Europe and a trip to the seaside right around the corner, we have a lot to plan for.
LINKS
Join the Ministry WhatsApp chat …
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JL4d2LrwsKIDnH9VkI1KXf?mode=gi_t
Follow us on LinkedIn for community chat and news …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-tech
Register to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …
https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6r
Find out about The Evolve Collaborative at NHS Alliance
https://thenhsalliance.org/evolve-collaborative
Read Charlotte Refum’s article “Who controls access to NHS care in the age of big tech?”
https://institute.global/insights/public-services/who-controls-access-to-nhs-care-in-the-age-of-big-tech
MUSIC & FX CREDITS
V/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com
"Voxel Revolution" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Laser Groove" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Laserpack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Chee Zee Beach" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Moonlight Beach" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Island Meet and Greet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As the highs of our Spring Fling begin to subside, we’re talking neighbourhood health, it’s the only show in town right now, but how is healthtech assisting ICBs in making the transition? We’re also asking where health tech meets the transformational new Tobacco and Vapes Bill out this month and, with the latest cohort of UK innovators just back from visiting the Canadian health system, we’re looking into what’s on offer out there for you. Plus, we’re getting ready for NHS Confed Expo and HLTH Europe which are just around the corner - and planning a cheeky little trip to the seaside.
LINKS
Join the Ministry WhatsApp chat …
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JL4d2LrwsKIDnH9VkI1KXf?mode=gi_t
Follow us on LinkedIn for community chat and news …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-tech
Register to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …
https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6r
Find out about the Smoke Free digitally enabled smoking cessation service …
Smokefreeapp.com
Or contact Dr Dave Crane with commissioning enquiries …
david.crane@smokefee.ai
Find out more about the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto …
https://www.marsdd.com/

MUSIC & FX CREDITS
V/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com
"Voxel Revolution" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“Pixel Party” Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org
"Laserpack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“Main Street Pixelville” Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org
"Cloud Dancer" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Getting It Done" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Island Meet and Greet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We’re live in Birmingham at Rewired 2026 - catching-up with a host of health tech SMEs and network members, getting the lowdown on the recent changes to DTAC, hearing the inside track on one of the biggest deployments of Ambient Voice Technology in the NHS and running a mini masterclass on dealing with Imposter Syndrome. We’ve got all the details about the next Ministry networking event, the Spring Fling, at the end of April - and we were eagerly waiting to grab the winner of Pitchfest 2026 as they came off stage. Join us for all the highlights of this unmissable two-day event in the health tech calendar.
LINKS
Get free tickets to the Ministry of Health Tech Spring Fling on 23rd April …
https://luma.com/tl7xcesq
Follow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-tech
Register to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …
https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6r
Connect with Imposter Syndrome coach Dr Liz Glidewell …
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-liz-glidewell-3b77a668/
Hear more about AVT in nursing on the Future Nurse Notes LIVE! podcast …
https://podfollow.com/future-nurse-notes-live/view

MUSIC & FX CREDITS
V/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com
“8 Bit Techno” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org
"Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Laser Pack" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“Main Street Pixelville” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org
"Bassa Island Game Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Island Meet and Greet" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imuno
https://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

We’re live in Yorkshire at the HETT Leaders Summit 2026, experiencing local focus with national relevance - and Damian is well out of his Essex comfort zone. Find out more about the big changes at NICE in the way they will be assessing, and actually mandating, health technology in the same way they do pharmaceuticals. Plus, we’re covering more about mental health tech, like we promised, and we’ve got a couple of great case studies ranging from simple tech enabled support services to highly scientific brain stimulating headsets that help people to feel great again. There’s a trip to the pub, catch-ups with the Leeds crew, some general giddyness, our best sound track yet, Northern News and an AI slop meme that makes us laugh.


LINKS

Follow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-tech

Register to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …
https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6r

Get Neil Perry’s monthly Synergy Digital Health Innovation news update …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/synergy-digital-health-innovation-ltd/posts/?feedView=all

Hear Neil Perry on the Future Nurse Notes LIVE! Podcast with Natasha Phillips …
https://podfollow.com/future-nurse-notes-live/view

Find out more about Hope for the Community …
https://www.h4c.org.uk/

Rent or buy a Flow headset for your mental wellbeing …
https://www.flowneuroscience.com/

Find out more about Clean Slate Clinic …
https://cleanslateclinic.co.uk/

Contact Clean Slate Clinic …
services.uk@cleanslateclinic.com

Find out more about Rewired, 24/25 Mar 2026 …
https://digitalhealthrewired.com/

Get 10% off commercial tickets (NHS is free) at Rewired, 24/25 Mar 2026 …
Discount code: RW26MOH10
https://digitalhealthrewired.com/register/

MUSIC & FX CREDITS

V/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com

"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imuno
https://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50

We’re live in Yorkshire at the HETT Leaders Summit 2026, experiencing local focus with national relevance - and Damian is well out of his Essex comfort zone. Find out more about the big changes at NICE in the way they will be assessing, and actually mandating, health technology in the same way they do pharmaceuticals. Plus, we’re covering more about mental health tech, like we promised, and we’ve got a couple of great case studies ranging from simple tech enabled support services to highly scientific brain stimulating headsets that help people to feel great again. There’s a trip to the pub, catch-ups with the Leeds crew, some general giddyness, our best sound track yet, Northern News and an AI slop meme that makes us laugh.


LINKS

Follow Ministry of Health Tech on LinkedIn for community chat and news …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-of-health-tech

Register to our mailing list for early notice of upcoming Ministry events …
https://mailchi.mp/6e8036301ba2/lgrvizlh6r

Get Neil Perry’s monthly Synergy Digital Health Innovation news update …
https://www.linkedin.com/company/synergy-digital-health-innovation-ltd/posts/?feedView=all

Hear Neil Perry on the Future Nurse Notes LIVE! Podcast with Natasha Phillips …
https://podfollow.com/future-nurse-notes-live/view

Find out more about Hope for the Community …
https://www.h4c.org.uk/

Rent or buy a Flow headset for your mental wellbeing …
https://www.flowneuroscience.com/

Find out more about Clean Slate Clinic …
https://cleanslateclinic.co.uk/

Contact Clean Slate Clinic …
services.uk@cleanslateclinic.com

Find out more about Rewired, 24/25 Mar 2026 …
https://digitalhealthrewired.com/

Get 10% off commercial tickets (NHS is free) at Rewired, 24/25 Mar 2026 …
Discount code: RW26MOH10
https://digitalhealthrewired.com/register/

MUSIC & FX CREDITS

V/O - Helen Phillips - https://www.helenphillipsvoice.com

"Dark Arts FX", Daniel Mumford, Imuno
https://imuno.sourceaudio.com/album/8858841?o=track_number&d=a&pg=0&show=50