Advances in technology have had a massive impact on our lives. Most of us now carry phones and wearables and we’re always connected. While being switched on all the time might not always be good for our mental health, technology undoubtedly brings benefits and is increasingly being used in healthcare to save money and increase efficiency, whether that’s through earlier diagnosis, reducing waiting lists or discovering and developing new drugs.In fact, the Government is hoping incorporating tech into healthcare might go some way to easing the pressures on the NHS and in October 2023 announced a £21 million investment to roll out AI diagnostic tools covering 64 trusts in England.“Technology is moving at a rate that’s so extreme,” says Josh Hart, YuLife co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. “Solutions that felt cutting-edge two years ago—like speaking to a GP on your phone—are already old news.” So in what ways is technology transforming the healthcare industry and how is that likely to develop over the next few years?1. Easy access to appointments and prescriptions“The NHS is under strain. It’s important that people see a physician when they need to—immediately. Virtual GPs have made that possible,” says Josh.Virtual GPs offer a 24/7 service, whether that’s for a diagnosis, prescriptions, or referral to a specialist.“Gone are the days that you have an illness and wait days or weeks to be seen,” adds Josh. “All of our customers get access to a virtual GP, and it means they get to be seen immediately. That’s almost unheard of for the general population of the country.”Apps such as LloydsDirect, NowPatient and Well Pharmacy also now offer delivery services for repeat prescriptions. So patients can order a prescription and have it delivered to their door.2. Collecting healthcare data As well as phones, we often now wear smartwatches or rings that constantly collect, track and analyse data. Sensors track metrics such as heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep patterns and even blood oxygen levels, providing wearers with easier access to health data and potentially revolutionising healthcare.“Devices have an enormous amount of value because they can provide insights on risks that could be mitigated,” says Josh Hart, YuLife co-founder and Chief Technology Officer.That could have huge implications for the health insurance industry. “In the immediate term, people will still have to fill out health questionnaires,” explains Josh. “But the amount of data points required could be reduced because the details could potentially be obtained from a smartwatch. “It's more like just transferring where this data lives from in your head into a device,” adds Josh. “And in doing so it'll probably answer significantly more questions.”3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)The rapid advancement of large language models (LLMs) offers a multitude of opportunities to speed up processes and enhance treatment in the healthcare industry.AI will increasingly be able to interface with our growing range of wearable devices and apps, combine the data from these with our health records, and cross reference with the latest knowledge base from preventive healthcare and clinical medicine to produce a set of objectives for our health.The NHS is already using virtual wards to provide care for patients in their own homes, monitoring their progress remotely via wearable devices and AI algorithms.Al also has the potential to revolutionise the way we treat mental health. In fact, “How does that make you feel” is a question you might already be discussing with an AI chatbot rather than a human therapist.In 2023-2024, NHS Talking Therapies received about 1.83 million referrals, but only around 672,000 of those people completed a full course of treatment. That means more than 1.16 million people, over 60% of all referrals, didn’t get the support they were hoping for—AI chatbots, while unlikely to fully replace traditional therapy, could go some way to filling that gap.4. Digital Twin technologyThe concept of a Digital Twin (DT) was first established by NASA in the 1960s to simulate a spacecraft and be able to de-bug flight issues in real-time—successfully utilised during the Apollo 13 mission when the spacecraft suffered a malfunctionDT applications for healthcare include decision making, as well as individualised therapy and personalised patient care. For example, a digital twin recreation of a tumour could be used to test new clinical decisions, treatment and different therapeutic interventions.According to Forbes magazine, the private sector is investing billions in the development of this new technology, recognising its huge potential.5. 3D planning and printing Ten years ago, the presence of 3D planning and printing technology in the NHS was very limited. However, over the past decade, use of this technology has significantly increased. 3D printers produce precise replicas of objects and can be used to customise medical products and equipment for individual patient needs—for example, prosthetic limbs.Surgeons can also modify their clinical plans after reviewing the 3D visualisations. This leads to less stress in the operating room and can result in a faster execution of the procedure. Interestingly, once this technology is adopted by one department, it tends to spread throughout the hospital, expanding its applications beyond the department it was initially intended for. Embracing technology at YuLifeAt YuLife, we understand that data only has the power to transform workplace wellbeing if it’s used effectively. The message for HR leaders? The companies that thrive will be those that not only track their team’s wellbeing metrics but act on them.The future of workplace wellbeing lies in preventative strategies that help employees stay healthy before issues arise.And for all the benefits of AI and real-time analytics, data must never replace human judgement and connection. Employees don’t just want automated nudges or dashboards—they want real support and meaningful policies that prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing.“We know there is a gap between what the NHS can provide and what employers can offer,” says YuLife Head of People, Katie Howarth. “By providing Group Health Insurance, access to a Virtual GP, mental health support, and tech that builds healthy habits, employers can go a long way towards supporting the physical and mental health of employees while taking the pressure off the NHS.”