Although focused on new technologies and data use, the event was underpinned by the need to improve patient experiences and outcomes.

Some of the key take-aways include:

• Robotic-assisted surgery requires investment in terms of financial outlay and training, but offers real benefits for patient outcomes.
• Current outcome measures do not reflect nuanced benefits to patients especially in emerging technology space (e.g. robot-assisted surgery).
• AI is not only boosting clinician efficiency but also generating clinical insights that drive better decision-making and healthcare outcomes.
• AI is a box of tools, not a single tool. It’s been called the ‘new electricity’ (Stanford Business School), and it’s used by all of us on an everyday basis often without even not knowing it e.g. Google Maps.
• It is increasingly essential to demonstrate the outcome benefits of treatments offered (value-based care).
• We should consider the ‘linkability’ of data, and add measures of health to the actual social determinants of health and health-related behaviour.
• Collecting data alone does not automatically mean better outcomes.
• We can use large language models (LLMs) to convert complex information into something even a 10-year-old can understand – and should do so, given health literacy.

Some of the challenges highlighted were:

• How to ensure cost/value analyses reflect true system/patient benefits.
• Aggregated lagging indicators do not benefit the patients whom the data is derived from, so how do we fix this?
• We have to consider the viability of informed consent when potential ‘future use’ in 10-15 years is simply unforeseeable especially given new technologies and their applications.
• There remain dangers with over reliance on unproved technologies, for example chatbots giving wrong advice to patients and regulation should be considered

Rewarding time

In addition to the discussions and presentations, PHIN also took the opportunity to celebrate some of the initiatives, projects and people that are helping to improve the healthcare sector by presenting four PHIN awards. The winners were:

Innovation with a patient focus

• HCA Healthcare UK – for innovation and implementation in the use of robot-assisted surgery

Consultant contribution

• David Houlihan-Burne – has been a supporter of PHIN’s objectives since its inception. He is passionate about the provision of quality of data to patients and scrutinising his PHIN data, thoroughly. He has been a sounding board for PHIN for several years across a range of issues.

Best use of PHIN data

• Nuffield Health – for using PHIN data for Adverse Events and PROMs to create funnel plots and undertake internal outlier analysis.

Promotion of PHIN

• Sue Harvey (Ramsay healthcare) – for working relentlessly behind the scenes travelling to different sites to educate, support and enhance current work on PROMs.

What the attendees thought

PHIN is grateful to those attendees who completed the event feedback form or took to social media to share their thoughts on the day.

“I loved the format of the event with panel discussions and Slido Q&A, which made the presentations really engaging. Some excellent and really informative sessions. Also, great networking opportunities and a great venue.” – Sue Harvey

“…an insightful and engaging event!” – Helen Hartley

“The Quality Forum was a great day with excellent speakers and I am very much looking forward to the next one! Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!” – Michael Dymond

“Thank you for the invite to speak. As a surgeon it was a privilege to address such a broad spectrum of healthcare stakeholders. I learnt a lot today, so thanks to PHIN.” –  David Houlihan-Burne

“The Quality Forum was an informative event, with thought provoking discussions.” – Rachel Wheeler

“We had a fantastic time at the latest Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) forum, hearing about the advances in robotic-assisted surgery and how artificial intelligence can further assist new technology in the future” – Hoarder Healthcare

“I had a great time at the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) 2nd Quality Forum. The event was really well-organised, and it was good to catch up with so many people. Congratulations on the new report – the rise of robot-assisted surgery in both the NHS and private sector is seriously impressive. Exciting times ahead as these innovations keep pushing healthcare forward, and I’m proud to be part of it all!” – Josephine Trotter

“It was an outstanding day filled with valuable insights from leading experts. Exactly the high standard we’ve come to expect from Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) conferences.” – Simina O.

“Great day at the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) Quality Forum! Really enjoyed Thariea Whisker’s talk from Healthy.io on how AI is not only boosting clinician efficiency but also generating clinical insights that drive better decision-making and healthcare outcomes. It’s exciting to see AI making a tangible impact across patient pathways. Dr Shruti Patel and Dr Avi Mehra’s session on value-based healthcare was also spot-on. A single view of citizens' health through solid data infrastructure would be a game-changer.” –  Manon Clech

“Really informative day at Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) Quality Forum: Patient outcomes-powered by AI and technology. Particularly enjoyed the discussions on robotic use in surgery and the use of AI in wound management. Now some time on the train to consider the impacts for our members at Medical Protection Society” – Sarah Townley

“Superb day at the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) Quality Forum event. Many insightful learnings and viewpoints shared by many. Particularly enjoyed the discussion with Sam Shah and Dr Rachael Kent-Aitken around how AI and ML are affecting healthcare. The million-dollar question.” – Charlie Wilyman

“Thought provoking day hosted by Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN)” – Alex Almoudaris

See pictures of the day

A gallery of images of the event is available on Flickr. 

Acknowledgments

The event could not have been a success without our speakers, audience and sponsors (Chrysalis Finance) and we are extremely grateful for their support and time.