UK turns to quantum technology to fix NHS waiting lists
Key Points
- The government has announced £50 million in funding for quantum technology products, including an eye sensor that can cut NHS waiting lists.
- The handheld eye scanner is built by Bristol-based Siloton and uses quantum technology to deliver sensing capabilities that were previously only available in specialised hospitals directly to people.
- The funding is delivered through a competition hosted by UKRI. Other winners include MoniRail, which will improve response times for fixing rail infrastructure.
- The funding forms part of the government's push to make the UK a world leader in quantum technology by 2030.
The UK government has announced £50 million in funding for quantum technologies, part of which will go towards tech to cut NHS waiting lists.
Announced on Tuesday 13 October, the fund will support a range of British businesses building products using quantum technology, including one company — Siloton, based in Bristol — that is using this technology to deliver an handheld eye-scanner to cut NHS waiting lists and speed up medical screening.
At a small enough scale, the rules of classical physics break down and a more mysterious sub-atomic set of rules for physics, called quantum physics, applies. Quantum technology refers to any technology that harnesses these sub-atomic physics, which unlock new capabilities that are not possible to address with classical technology.
This device will make advanced eye diagnostics available outside of specialist hospitals, making it easier for patients to receive the care they need without waiting for a spot at one of a few specialised locations.
The fund is being delivered through a competition by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and is allocated to companies using quantum technology to build sensing and positioning systems that outperform today’s technologies in critical areas.
Another product which received funding through the competition is a quantum monitoring system developed by the West Midlands-based MoniRail. This system allows for the precise location of faults in railways tracks and signalling equipment to pinpointed, even where GPS is unable to reach.
This could result in a reduction in wait times for fixing disruptions to transport infrastructure, sparing commuters frustration at extended delays.
Another company which received funding through this competition was ColdQuantaUK, which is based in Oxfordshire and aims to develop a compact, mobile quantum radio system that can locate signals with high accuracy. The technology could have potential applications in the military and critical infrastructure.
“Quantum has long been an exciting technology, but now real world applications are within our grasp,” said Science, Innovation, and Investment Minister Chris McDonald.
“UK innovators are showing us what these breakthroughs could mean for our lives in the near future, from cutting down on train delays, to earlier appointments at in-demand areas of the NHS, to keeping our armed forces safe and connected as they protect our country.”
This funding is part of the government’s strategy to make the UK a world leader in quantum sensing by 2030. To this end, UKRI is also investing £20 million in building domestic capability in quantum communication networks.
