Vodafone’s latest report reveals strong public interest in applying technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform healthcare delivery and outcomes.
When combined, these emerging technologies offer powerful possibilities across many areas of care. One concrete example is a 5G-equipped ambulance communicating with smart traffic lights to secure an unobstructed route; four in five people surveyed by Vodafone say they want to see 5G-enabled ambulances on the road.
The speed, reliability, and ultra-low latency of 5G also open new doors for remote surgery. In future, a specialist could perform procedures for a patient regardless of geographic distance, even from another hospital or country. Three in five respondents support using 5G for remote surgery.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote consultations by general practitioners, helping to limit virus spread while maintaining care provision. While some conditions still require physical examination, remote consultations can streamline care for clinicians and patients alike.
In Vodafone’s survey, 60% of respondents said video consultations are more convenient than visiting a GP practice or hospital in person. Meanwhile, 57% said they would feel comfortable continuing remote appointments after the pandemic, indicating a lasting shift in patient preferences.
The UK government has committed to building 40 new NHS hospitals by 2030. Vodafone argues these new facilities present an “unmissable opportunity” to integrate 5G and IoT capabilities from the outset rather than retrofitting older buildings.
Here’s what a 5G-enabled hospital could offer in practice:
More than 70% of respondents believe it is important for new hospitals to be 5G-connected—a baseline requirement if healthcare is to be reshaped in the ways people expect over the coming years.
Vodafone’s report sets out several policy recommendations aimed at helping the UK unlock healthcare benefits from 5G.
The primary recommendation calls for a £1.5 billion investment to connect every hospital in England to 5G and to fund regional innovation centres that support research into breakthrough clinical applications.
Another proposal is a £30 million fund to expand drone trials. Drones, which can deliver time-critical organs, medical supplies, and samples quickly, were supported by roughly 63% of respondents as a promising 5G use case.
To ensure lower-income households are not excluded, Vodafone proposes a voucher scheme to help people upgrade devices to models compatible with NHS digital services, such as contact-tracing apps and other remote-care tools.
Vodafone also recommends that clinicians should be able to “prescribe” digital technologies, including wearables, when they can help manage long-term conditions like diabetes and obesity. The company suggests creating a £100 million fund within 12 months to roll out such a prescription scheme by 2022.
Loneliness and social isolation—especially among care-home residents—remain serious problems, worsened by the pandemic. Vodafone recommends the government fund £4 million to provide a year of broadband access to thousands of care homes with little or no connectivity so residents can stay connected with loved ones.
A full copy of Vodafone’s report is available in PDF format from Vodafone’s news centre.
(Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash)
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