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Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely believes the island may emerge from the Covid-19 outbreak as a recognized “center of innovation and technological knowledge.”
Seely has said he is proud that the Isle of Wight is leading the way with three new government-led initiatives that use technology to fight disease and improve health care.
Seely has been talking about the latter of which, using drones to transport medical supplies from the mainland to St. Mary’s, went live.
The island is also at the forefront of the new testing and tracking app, while last summer a £ 48 million grant was awarded to help the island develop advances in healthcare.
Additionally, many other local companies, including members of the Island Technology Group, had embarked on their own initiatives to use high-tech knowledge in the fight against Covid-19.
Seely said:
“I am delighted that the island is part of this pioneering approach that uses new technologies to improve quality of life and potentially save lives.
“I hope drones will help us bring EPP and other equipment to the island faster and cheaper than other methods of transportation. I also hope that they can help expedite diagnostics by reducing the time spent traveling on ferries and highways.
“Drone trials and telemedicine are helping to transform IW’s health services and the quality of life for islanders. With these new forms of technology, there will be less need for islanders to travel to the mainland, or indeed to St Mary’s, which will improve their quality of life and give them faster access to some health care services. It will also make better use of NHS staff time.
“We are a community full of ideas, know-how and a willingness to adopt new technologies. Fortunately, recent events have exposed any lazy and unfair notions that we are somehow slow to move forward with the times in terms of technology.
“The Isle of Wight is leading the way. I want more pilot plans that can benefit the islanders and I want the island to be at the forefront of NHS technology to lead the rest of the country. “
