Did you catch the launch of the new Apple Vision Pro? Not perhaps the biggest piece of news amongst the international conflicts, climate concerns and financial crisis, but it did get me thinking. Likewise, the reports of the huge impact that AI is bringing to drug discovery, data interpretation and disease prevention.
Our NHS is about to celebrate its 75th Anniversary. As we look to the future, digital innovations promise hope in the struggle to make the most of the staff we have for the people who need us. We will need considerable professional creativity, and not just government investment plans, to ensure our aging population has the care it needs in 10 years’ time. So, I’m especially delighted to see Glen’s interest in health tech in this month’s news.
Nevertheless, at the core of our profession remains empathy and care, and it is inspiring to see the many ways in which Liverpool students and alumni continue to adapt these qualities to suit the situations that present themselves, such as researching new approaches, developing a hospital in Somalia, or the care that drives someone to run miles to raise funds for charity.
No matter how technological clinical care gets, or how challenging the NHS environment may feel at times, I hope that all of us, especially those who now leave Year 5 to begin the next phase of their exciting journey, will not forget the patient who needs us.
As we near the end of the academic year, I am struck by just how many glowing examples of compassion, curiosity and community you have demonstrated over these months – qualities that stand you in good stead for next year and beyond and which I greatly look forward to sharing with you.