05 October 2009

Robotics expert explores technological future of NHS

A leading UK robotics expert will address a meeting at the Conservative party conference today about the impact that new technologies could have for the NHS over the coming decade.

Speaking as part of the think tank 2020Health, Professor Noel Sharkey, from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Computer Science, will discuss a near-future technologies such as of portable robot surgeons, thought-controlled prostheses and computerised brain implants. He will tell of exoskeleton suits to enable the disabled to walk again and smart homes equipped with sensors that will reduce hospital visits.

Professor Noel Sharkey, said: "Maybe that Teddy bear a sick child is cuddling will one day be packed with all manner of sensors for remote health monitoring."

Professor Sharkey suggests that: "There is so much to gain from the new technology over the coming decade, it would be folly to ignore its potential to improve lives, to reduce hospital waiting times and shorten stays in hospital. Although the start up costs could be large, it could save the NHS considerable money in the long term."

"But these technologies do not come without risk," warns Sharkey. "There are many ethical dimensions and issues about patient´s rights that will need to be considered. We will have to keep a watchful eye on the potential negative impacts and find out what the public want and what they fear about the technology before and not after it is employed."

"We must be wary of industrialising our healthcare system", the Professor insists, "people will not respond well to `conveyer-belt surgery´. They still need human contact to reassure and comfort them. We must get the balance right between the dehumanising effects of technology and human centred care."

Another technology with great promise is computerised brain implants. There are already examples that help reduce chronic pain or smooth tremors in Parkinson´s disease, and progress is being made for an implant to predict epileptic seizures and prevent them. There is also much talk about using implants to restore cognitive and memory performance after brain trauma, illness or dementia.

Professor Sharkey warns: "We will have to be very careful to draw a clear line between restorative therapy and enhancement. If the technology can be used to gain a competitive edge in school or business, people will demand it." He draws similarities with the `cosmetic neurology´ that is becoming problematic in the US with the increasing use of enhancement drugs like Adderall, Ritalin and Modafinil.

"We don´t want to create culture of `use them or fail'", Professor Sharkey adds "where competitive pressure and coercion make them the norm."

Notes for Editors: 2020 Health is a web-based think-tank specialising in the role of bioethics and technology in the future of healthcare.


The event will take place on Monday, 5th October at 17.30 at the Midland Hotel, Colony Restaurant in Manchester. Tom Sackville, chairman of 2020 Health, will chair the session and the other speakers will be Adam Afriyie MP (Shadow Minister for Science and Technology), Earl Howe MP (a shadow Minister for Health) and Julia Manning, founder and CEO of 2020Health.

For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk

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