- Hundreds of local businesses and residents in Barnsley launch practical initiative A.I. Government-funded skills
- Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust begins rollout A.I. Tools to reduce waiting lists, missed appointments, and administrative burden on staff
- Innovative scheme tested in Britain’s first tech town, Barnsley, could be rolled out across the country
People in Barnsley will benefit from shorter hospital waiting lists and fewer missed appointments under a new testing scheme being rolled out in Britain’s first tech city. Residents and local businesses also have the opportunity to benefit. A.I. New government funding has improved skills.
Two pilots demonstrate how A.I. can build a blueprint that can be used in communities across the country, supporting both local workers and frontline services.
As part of this, local small business This includes people working in key industries such as manufacturing, as well as residents who might not normally have the confidence or resources to use them. A.I. – Get targeted training through new £800,000 A.I. Skill Up Challenge Fund. From manufacturers looking to improve productivity to volunteer organizations helping seniors who don’t feel confident with technology, this training is designed to reach people and businesses who may be left behind.
In the coming weeks, organizations including innovative companies will small businessnon-profits and community organizations are invited to submit ideas for how to provide this training, and successful applicants will receive a portion of the funding.
In parallel, Cisco will establish a new Healthcare Living Lab in collaboration with Lister Alliance. This includes reducing missed appointments, improving outpatient flow, supporting decision making, and reducing time spent on paperwork. By trialling these tools in real hospital settings, Living Labs will generate evidence about what works for staff and patients, helping to shape how similar approaches can be adopted across the NHS.
These pilots show how you can benefit by focusing on the places, industries, and people who are most likely to benefit. A.I. It can bring real benefits to towns and public services across the UK.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
When we named Barnsley the UK’s first tech town, we made a promise to its people. This is not just a title, but a real commitment. A.I. We work for our lives and our communities.
Now, we’re delivering on that promise by giving local businesses and workers the tools and confidence they need. A.I. In addition to introducing A.I. Barnsley Hospital will help reduce waiting lists and allow NHS staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients.
Barnsley is showing the rest of the world how to use technology to build a future that works for everyone.
Councilor Sir Stephen Houghton C.B.E.Leader of Barnsley Council said:
This will be the first time a tech town will be operational in Barnsley, supporting the healthcare and business sectors.
We have already begun to revolutionize healthcare with our Health on the High Street project, but Living Labs will take this a step further by relieving pressure on staff, giving them new skills and making it easier for them to provide the best possible care to their patients.
of A.I. The Upskilling Challenge Fund plays a key role in helping residents develop future-ready skills, adapt to technological change and remain competitive in an evolving labor market, while enabling employers to future-proof their businesses through the tailored support available to them, achieving two key missions of the Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy.
Upskilling hundreds of businesses across Barnsley
Proving that the benefits of this technology reach every community, not just big cities. A.I. The Upskilling Challenge Fund is designed to ensure bespoke and thorough upskilling. A.I. Training is provided to businesses and individuals who cannot otherwise access it or who require more personalized support.
We will begin recruiting applicants in May 2026, with a particular focus on small business organizations, with the aim of supporting hundreds of businesses in Barnsley and the local community from the summer.
The fund builds on the Government’s work with industry partners to provide essential equipment to 10 million UK workers. A.I. skills and initiatives to secure economic opportunities for A.I. It is shared all over the country.
Edward Naylor, CEO of Naylor Industries, said:
of A.I. The Upskilling Challenge Fund provides a significant opportunity for Barnsley businesses to build the skills and confidence they need to implement technology. A.I. In a way that truly reflects local priorities and sector-specific challenges.
The Fund will help progressive employers realize and benefit from their full potential by providing access to high-quality, targeted training. A.I.strengthening productivity, resilience and long-term growth across regional economies.
A living laboratory for the NHS
From April, Cisco will work with the local community to launch a ‘Healthcare Living Lab’ in Barnsley as part of the Lister Alliance Innovation Collaboration. The purpose is to gather startup companies. small businessNHS partners and academia will test the ready-to-use A.I. Tools designed to tackle real-world challenges in hospital environments.
The aim is to free up NHS staff to spend more time caring for patients, giving local residents more time to spend with clinical staff, reducing missed appointments and shortening waiting lists.
Cisco will also provide free digital skills training to healthcare professionals through the Cisco Networking Academy. The course will focus on improving digital literacy, including areas such as cybersecurity and cybersecurity. A.I. Basic. This will build on engagement with the workforce to identify skills gaps and support people’s confidence in using the digital NHS, and will lead directly into the wider Tech Town initiative.
Sarah Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Cisco UK and Ireland, said:
We are committed to helping everyone in the UK benefit from a more digital society. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the Tech Town initiative.
Barnsley has the potential to provide a blueprint for how technology can improve the lives of people across the UK, and healthcare is a cornerstone of this.
From waiting times to missed appointments, we look forward to bringing the collective expertise of the Cisco and Lister Alliance Innovation Collaboration to Barnsley to address some of the most prominent challenges facing NHS trusts across the UK.
Note to editor
of A.I. The Skill Up Challenge Fund will begin accepting applications in late spring 2026, with recipients expected to be selected by the summer.
The Cisco Lister Alliance Living Lab pilot will begin at Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in April 2026. Priority use cases include improving the outpatient experience and managing waiting lists.
As part of the Living Lab, free digital skills resources will be made available to NHS staff across trusts.
The NHS staff skills program will be supported by the Cisco Networking Academy.
Barnsley Tech Town was announced on 3 February 2026, positioning Barnsley as the UK’s first government-backed tech town and national blueprint. A.I. Community Recruitment.
Tech Town supports Barnsley 2030. This is Barnsley City Council’s long-term plan to build a prosperous, better, fairer and more inclusive town.
