17.06.15
NHS considers free wi-fi across entire estate
The feasibility of turning the entire NHS estate into a free wi-fi zone is to be explored as part of national plans to support the health service on its journey to “harness the power of data and technology”.
Health and social care leaders have suggested that universal wi-fi would reduce the administrative burden on doctors, nurses and care staff. It is estimated that current admin tasks take up 70% of a junior doctor’s day, reducing the amount of time they can spend with patients.
Over the coming months, the National Information Board (NIB), established by the Department of Health and chaired by Tim Kelsey, NHS England’s national director for patients and information, will be engaging with leaders and influencers from across the health and social care system to seek their views on the proposals before final publication in September.
Last November NIB published ‘Personalised Health and Care 2020’ but the latest proposals expand on this. As well as considering making the NHS estate a free wi-fi zone, the latest plans commit to giving patients full access to their entire digital health record in real time by 2018.
On top of this, a third of all ambulances now share their records digitally with A&E doctors, providing them with speedy access to critical clinical information. Under the latest proposals, doctors and nurses will be able to access the most up-to-date lifesaving information wherever they are in England by 2018 for primary, urgent and emergency care services and by 2020 for all other NHS-funded services.
Kelsey said: “The NHS is embracing the offering of digital services to patients, with more than 55 million patients set to benefit from progress.
“As well as giving patients more choice and control, better use of technology can save money. Letting people rebook online will help tackle the estimated £160m that missed appointments cost the NHS each year.”
To drive up quality and efficiency, the NHS will also expand MyNHS to include new information on local NHS commissioners and care homes. And by March 2016, the NHS 111 digital service will be integrated into the NHS endorsement of third party ‘apps’ and digital services that support patients and citizens.
HSCIC chief executive Andy Williams said: “The proposals announced today are a major step forward in using technology, data and information to transform the delivery of England’s health and social care services.
“The HSCIC looks forward to working with our partners to help local health and care organisations get the best out of these exciting new opportunities for the benefit of all patients.”
There will be the opportunity to make comments and give feedback on the proposals via the NIB website where the proposals will be published in full in the coming days. The final roadmaps will be published in September at NHS Innovation Expo.
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The feasibility of turning the entire NHS estate into a free wi-fi zone is to be explored as part of national plans to support the health service on its journey to “harness the power of data and technology”.
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