This week saw the official  launch of a new report XR Health in the UK  at an online event, attended by around 200 people internationally.

The report reviewed and made recommendations about the existing and potential wider use of virtual reality and associated technologies, termed ‘extended reality’ or ‘XR’, in healthcare.

After a welcome by Ross O’Brien of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, contributors gave a brief introduction, including MindTech’s Michael Craven, Health Education England’s Head of Technology Enhanced Learning Neil Ralph, Matt Wordley of Rescape Innovation, and Andrew Chitty, Challenge Director of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI/InnovateUK).

XR Health Alliance co-founders, Fiona Kilkelly and Sarah Ticho presented the report and its recommendations, followed by Ivan Phelan from Sheffield Hallam University who show-cased some of the research being done in physical rehabilitation,

MindTech’s Aislinn Bergin featured in a panel discussion at the event, having co-written the Clinical Mental Health and Health Economics sections of the report, along with Michael Craven. Her fellow panellists included Payal Ghatnekar, Technology Research Lead at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, NHSX Deputy Director of Innovation Development Rhod Joyce, HEE’s Neil Ralph and chair Ross O’Brien.

“MindTech were delighted to be involved in contributing to this report. We’re really interested in developing appropriate methods for the evaluation of technology-based interventions and digital support tools, as well as generating knowledge about the factors that contribute to their implementation and sustainability. We hope to further apply these methods to XR, which will play an increasingly important role in mental health.” Dr Mike Craven, MindTech.

Ross O Brien, co-author of the report, said: “It has been a pleasure to collaborate with MindTech in pulling together the Future of XR Healthcare in the UK Report. Working together, we have been able to crystallise the potential for the use of Immersive Reality in healthcare settings both operationally, but also importantly, economically. The report offers us an opportunity to glimpse into a future where patients are more engaged in their healthcare, and higher quality clinical interventions or educational experiences can be offered at scale. This would not have been possible without the valuable input of the MindTech Team.”

The event can be viewed in full here.