‘Panoramic’ new smart glasses to be tested by nurses to help them spend more time with patients | Science and tech news

New virtual reality-style glasses should be tried on by nurses during home visits, in an effort to maximize the amount of time spent with patients, the NHS said.

Smart glasses will transcribe appointments directly to electronic records in real time, reducing time spent on administrative tasks.

In turn, more time will be available for nurses to perform clinical tasks such as checking blood pressure, checking wounds and assessing health needs.

It is estimated that district nurses spend more than half their day manually entering data and filling out forms.

The goggles feature thermal imaging to help assess how wounds and injuries have healed and allow staff to share live images directly with hospital colleagues for a second opinion.

Nurses in the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust area will begin the trial next week with patients consenting to use the technology.

dr. Tim Ferris, NHS Director for Transformation, said: “These new smart glasses are the latest breakthrough technology and really show us what the future of the NHS could look like.

“They are a win-win for both staff and patients, freeing up time-consuming administration for nurses, meaning more time for patient care.”

The software used in the smart glasses, called A.Consult, was developed by Concept Health, with founder Farhan Amin saying: “As the smart glasses learn from each patient confronted, it will automate important tasks currently performed manually. , giving staff time to provide holistic person-centered care to each patient.”

Clinical nurse specialist Becky Birchall said her team is “excited” to be the first in the country to take the devices on community visits.

“We currently spend a significant amount of time writing our visits to patients, and these advanced glasses will really help reduce the time we need for administration, and support us in taking care of our patients,” she said. .

The trust received £400,000 from NHS England to try out the technology as part of wider innovation, which will see a further 16 pilot projects in the coming months – with the NHS Long Term Plan committed to using the latest technology across the country.