A Coffee With…Afshin Attari, director of public sector and unified platforms, Exponential-e

Afshin Attari, director of public sector and unified platforms for cloud, connectivity and communications firm Exponential-e, works to bring advanced technologies to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) with the aim of improving patient care.

With a background in the telco sector, alongside engineering and business management, Attari speaks to TI about the hurdles the NHS is facing towards digital transformation, his experiences that drive his passion, and how healthcare and technology can intertwine for improved wellbeing.

We also touch on the recent statement by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, advocating for an AI-powered NHS and his thoughts on if and how this could happen.

How has your career journey lead you to your role at Exponential-e?

For the past 25 years, I’ve been driven by a passion to support communities, citizens, and patients in achieving better outcomes using technology. This has shaped my career and led me to my current role at Exponential-e. Over the years, I’ve held senior positions within BT, O2, and KCOM, where I gained experience across engineering, networking, business management, outsourcing and sales. Each of these roles deepened my understanding of how technology can transform public services, and that insight continues to fuel my work at Exponential-e.

Could you describe an experience where you found healthcare critically needed more help from digital technologies?

One moment that stands out was during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. I received a call from the Southeast London Integrated Care Board (ICB), urgently requesting support to move the telephony systems of 208 GP sites into the cloud.

It was a critical time, and enabling patients to stay in contact with healthcare providers was essential. The situation highlighted the pressing need for rapid digital transformation in healthcare.

In just three weeks, we successfully migrated the systems to ensure that patients could reach their doctors and access the care they needed. This experience reinforced how vital digital technologies are in maintaining crucial healthcare services, particularly in times of crisis.

What moment in this role has left you feeling fulfilled and accomplished?

One of the most fulfilling and impactful moments in my career was serving as a comms subject matter expert in Gold Command during the 7/7 London Bombings. I had the opportunity to contribute my expertise and support in the response. The experience serves as a reminder of why I am so passionate about using technology to serve the public and the power it has to keep people connected when it matters most.

What challenges faced by NHS services can Exponential-e help with?

One of the most significant challenges the NHS faces right now is transitioning from analogue to digital systems. This shift is essential to deliver better patient outcomes, and at Exponential-e, we’re focused on supporting the NHS in adopting technologies that make a real difference.

One area we’re really focusing on is digital pathology, where we’re facilitating the transition to digital platforms that improve the speed and accuracy of diagnostics. By integrating AI into these platforms, we can significantly enhance diagnostics, allowing clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions. This leads to better patient outcomes and the more efficient use of resources, which is critical for the future of NHS services.

How do you envision a better-connected NHS improving the service?

It has the potential to transform healthcare delivery by accelerating diagnosis and treatment. When we enable faster diagnoses, patients can start treatment earlier which often leads to quicker recoveries and less need for extended care or rehabilitation. This not only enables them to return to their daily lives sooner but also helps reduce the strain on healthcare resources, allowing the NHS to operate more efficiently. I see this as one of the key benefits of the work we are doing with our healthcare partners.

What do you think about Tony Blair’s statement that the NHS needs to prepare for an AI era?

With the newly formed government and the recent release of the Darzi Report, the pressures on the NHS have never been more pronounced. Recently, the new UK Secretary for Health outlined three critical goals for the future of healthcare: addressing workforce shortages, reforming social care, and leveraging technology and AI.

I believe that embracing digital innovation is essential in modernising outdated systems and streamlining processes. While AI won’t replace jobs to a significant extent, it can provide the much-needed capacity for the government to enhance operational efficacy and transform public services.

 By automating laborious administrative processes and using data analytics to spot trends, AI can help civil servants and healthcare practitioners to focus on the bigger picture, delivering better patient care.

Since working in healthtech, do you find yourself more interested in technologies such as wearables/smart watches to watch your own health?

Absolutely. With the fast pace of technology, I’m constantly drawn to innovation, especially given my background as an engineer. Wearables and smart watches are a good example of the personalisation we’re seeing in healthcare and can help individuals to take a more active role in managing their health.

How do you switch off?

For me, switching off is about balance. I love spending quality time with family and friends and travelling and exploring new places. It’s a great opportunity to reset and gain fresh perspectives. Exercise is another way I unwind.

Finally, how do you take your coffee?

Black.