Joining forces with The King’s Fund to support and improve UK healthcare through technology
At present in the UK, when trying to overcome language barriers in healthcare settings, the incumbent translation tools available are often slow, not readily available when needed and costly. The system itself is not agile enough to pivot and incorporate new translation technology that could save time, stress and money in often critical situations.
Our recent research shows that translating for patients costs each staff member six working days every year1. Positively, the UK Government’s recent Improvement Framework2 announcement, designed to support the provision of consistent, high-quality community language translation and interpreting services by the NHS (National Health Service) to those with limited English, is a welcome and significant step towards language equity in healthcare. But, to achieve success, the healthcare industry must quickly incorporate the latest digital tools for healthcare providers to maximise efficiencies.
Discovering digital health platforms together
In a bid to be part of the positive solution to drive change in the UK, Pocketalk is delighted to be joining The King’s Fund Digital Health and Care Conference on 15 July 2025, to explore the potential of digital transformation in healthcare. This event is very timely; with the recent recognition that change is needed, we’re eager to see how we can work together to bring about positive progress for health sector translation solutions.
The King’s Fund is an independent charity that has been working to improve people’s health in the UK for over a century, working towards a world where everyone can live a healthy life. Over the next five years, The King’s Fund believes that it can deliver the biggest impact by using its independent voice to help tackle the thorniest questions facing the UK’s health and care system, using bold thinking for better health, incorporating its combined policy, practice skills and insights to build solutions.
Safe communication tools for medical staff
We know translation and interpretation is a thorn in the NHS’ side – it is wasting the health service millions every year, diverting funds needed to improve patient care, whilst failing to offer the best solution for all scenarios. Clearly, technology is part of the overall solution, but not the answer for every conversation in healthcare; sometimes a human translator, doctor or nurse will be needed, but technology can help with many simple, everyday conversations to help cut time and stress for patients and staff alike.
Based on conversations with NHS teams, we know our device is used mostly (75/80% of the time) for the generalised, basic conversation in healthcare settings – asking for water, checking patients are comfortable, enhancing the staff’s bedside manner – leaving the more private, difficult conversations to in-person discussion.
Incorporating secure healthcare technology
We know from our own research that when it comes to language translation, through desperation and a lack of readily available solutions, a third of NHS professionals are regularly turning to non-compliant AI solutions such as Google Translate, while 23% are accessing from personal mobile phones. Pocketalk is keen to ensure that safe, secure and reliable options are available when needed.
The King’s Fund and Pocketalk share common ground in recognising that technology has a critical role to play as part of the spectrum of translation solutions, and we are delighted this is a focus at the conference next month.
However, some in the sector are still resistant to the opportunity, especially regarding AI, mainly due to lack of understanding about safety and accuracy. Part of the conference will explore what developments in AI mean for health and care; Pocketalk devices only use AI to augment, accelerate and save money, but with proper oversight, offering secure healthcare technology to support staff and patients.
Effective health tech for the future that meets compliance
Pocketalk is currently working with 25 health settings in the UK and 30 in Ireland, across many departments, so we understand first-hand how safe communication tools like Pocketalk are helping NHS Trusts, healthcare clinics and doctors’ surgeries cut valuable time and financial spend, ease patient and staff stress levels and offer accurate communication that is easily accessible and reliable.
The scope of possibility that compliant healthcare technology solutions can offer is vast and, when used correctly, can help reduce delays, prevent unnecessary appointments, documentation and overspend, and offer better, patient-centric care. We look forward to seeing what we can take forward from this new partnership and The King’s Fund’s Digital Health and Care Conference to further support the UK healthcare sector in the future.
References:
English (US) 
English (Canada) 
English (Europe) 
English (UK) 
Español 
Français 
Deutsch 
Italiano