Digital transformation
Digital technology is a significant part of our everyday lives improving the way we socialise, shop and work. It also has great potential to improve how the NHS delivers its services in a new and modern way; providing faster, safer and more convenient care.
Our NHS Long Term Plan will increase the range of digital health tools and services. People will be able to seek health information and support online, and choose whether they speak to a doctor on the phone or in person. A wide range of NHS-approved apps will help people get ongoing support to help them manage their health and wellbeing needs, backed up by face-to-face care when this is needed.
We are also investing in improving NHS IT systems and in developing new technology. We will make sure staff have the technology they need to do their jobs, and our systems can talk to each other and share vital information to support the delivery of care.
What we will do
- Provide digital services and tools to give people more control over their own health and the care they receive from the NHS
- Extend to everyone the NHS App as a new digital ‘front door’ to give people secure digital access to their own medical records; find trusted information about their health online; allow patients to conveniently book appointments and view test results online. In time it will also provide medical advice and consultations securely
- Give health and care staff the technology they need to help them complete administrative tasks more quickly, freeing up time to spend with patients
- Set standards that keep information secure and make sure NHS IT systems talk to each other to provide health and care staff with complete access to joined up patient records.
Putting it into practice – maternity records app
Mums-to-be have benefited from real-time access to their maternity records, as well as blood test results, appointment reminders and information on antenatal classes, using BadgerNet Maternity Notes App at Gateshead Health NHS Trust.
The app allows expectant mothers to add their preferred birth plan, any allergies or other relevant health information before appointments.
It also provides a valuable resource for clinicians who have all the information they need to make the best decisions for the women in their care.
The app cuts paperwork, saving the trust more than 400 hours of staff time a year.
Upgrades will also allow people to add photos and diary entries, creating lasting memories for mothers of their pregnancy and baby’s journey.
Find out more
See what the NHS Long Term Plan says about digital transformation.
Take a look at our digital case studies.