The Scalpel's Blog

24.10.18

Let’s speed up the transformation of NHS services

Source: Advertisement feature

Keiron Salt, CIO Health at BT, makes the case for a more rapid digital transformation of the NHS.

The NHS is arguably the UK’s greatest asset, but it’s facing major challenges. Patients are constantly demanding more of the service. People are living longer, and a 65-year-old costs over twice as much as the average 30-year-old. And by 2044, a larger chunk of the population will be over 65 – 16.5 million people, three million more than today.

It’s clear that NHS trusts are under pressure to transform patient care, and you’re having to do it on very stretched budgets. Changes are being made, but they’re not happening fast enough. Indeed, chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, has recently outlined the five key things he believes you need to succeed in the long term. And one is a clearer plan to deliver transformation, including moving over to integrated care systems.

Health services are holding back

We’ve been looking into this, too, and our latest research tells the same story. It shows that almost seven out of 10 NHS trusts plan to integrate their IT systems with other local health and care systems within the next couple of years as part of their migration to the new Health and Social Care Network (HSCN). But only a minority have a firm plan in place for managing this transition. Seventy five per cent of people believe that one of the top three benefits of HSCN is greater collaboration, but just under half are still at the ‘scoping’ stage and haven’t really moved their plans forward. Ambitions are big, but progress is slow.

The only way the planned technological revolution is going to work is if you fully embrace the opportunities. Keep your eye on the long-term goals and commit to transformational change, because the technology is already here to help you achieve that vision. So why not use it? 

Why BT Health – Technology is supporting health and care organisations to make lives better from BT Business on Vimeo.

Better connections improve everything

If you don’t know where to start, look at the quality of your networks. Better connections make it easier for everyone to be more flexible, efficient and productive. You need broadband that’s robust – able to cope with hundreds of people using it simultaneously without a drop in speed. And mobile networks must offer reliable coverage. So teams can access the information they need from anywhere, saving the time and money they would spend travelling back to the office to catch up with admin. 

Why BT Digital Transformation : Combining technologies to create powerful outcomes. from BT Business on Vimeo.

Embrace innovative technologies

Compared to other services, the NHS’s take-up of the cloud has been relatively slow. But the benefits it brings for better collaboration and flexibility, not to mention security, can’t be ignored. Cloud-based apps and services bring together multi-disciplinary teams, sharing information easily to deliver a joined-up patient experience. And connected medical devices – the Internet of Things – give you a way to capture care information and share it with patients and health professionals in real time.

Why BT – Intelligent Connectivity for smarter decisions from BT Business on Vimeo.

Start your future now

Health secretary Matt Hancock recently stated that “the biggest risk is not doing digital transformation.” So don’t wait any longer. Empower your frontline staff. Improve your patient care. Maintain your financial stability. And reach your smarter digital future sooner rather than later.

Why BT UK Digital Champion – We’re championing life-changing digital technology in the UK from BT Business on Vimeo.

If you need help taking those steps, speak to us. We’re already working with NHS trusts just like yours.

Discover more: business.bt.com/public-sector

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

national health executive tv

more videos >

latest healthcare news

NHS England commits £30m to join up HR and staff rostering systems

09/09/2020NHS England commits £30m to join up HR and staff rostering systems

As NHS England looks to support new ways of working, it has launched a £30m contract tender for HR and staff rostering systems, seeking sup... more >
Gender equality in NHS leadership requires further progress

09/09/2020Gender equality in NHS leadership requires further progress

New research carried out by the University of Exeter, on behalf of NHS Confederation, has shown that more progress is still needed to achieve gen... more >
NHS Trust set for big savings in shift to digital patient letters

09/09/2020NHS Trust set for big savings in shift to digital patient letters

Up and down the country, NHS trusts are finding new and innovative ways to leverage the power of digital technologies. In Bradford, paper appoint... more >

editor's comment

26/06/2020Adapting and Innovating

Matt Roberts, National Health Executive Editorial Lead. NHE May/June 2020 Edition We’ve been through so much as a health sector and a society in recent months with coronavirus and nothing can take away from the loss and difficulties that we’ve faced but it vital we also don’t disregard the amazing efforts we’v... read more >

last word

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad: ‘We all have a role to play in getting innovations quicker’

Haseeb Ahmad, president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), sits down with National Health Executive as part of our Last Word Q&A series. Would you talk us through your career in healthcare? My parents both worked in the NHS on the frontline. My mum was a GP, and my dad was a nephrologist in inner city L... more > more last word articles >

the scalpel's daily blog

Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

28/08/2020Covid-19 can signal a new deal with the public on health

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers & Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Confederation The common enemy of coronavirus united the public side by side with the NHS in a way that many had not seen in their lifetimes and for others evoked war-time memories. It was an image of defiance personified by the unforgettable N... more >
read more blog posts from 'the scalpel' >
332 304x150 NHE Callout banner.

comment

NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

23/09/2019NHS England dementia director prescribes rugby for mental health and dementia patients

Reason to celebrate as NHS says watching rugby can be good for your mental health and wellbeing. As the best rugby players in the world repr... more >
Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

13/06/2019Nurses named as least-appreciated public sector workers

Nurses have been named as the most under-appreciated public sector professionals as new research reveals how shockingly under-vauled our NHS, edu... more >
Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

10/06/2019Creating the Cardigan integrated care centre

Peter Skitt, county director and commissioner for Ceredigion Hywel Dda University Health Board, looks ahead to the new integrated care centre bei... more >

health service focus

View all News

interviews

Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

24/10/2019Matt Hancock says GP recruitment is on the rise to support ‘bedrock of the NHS’

Today, speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) annual conference, Matt Hancock highlighted what he believes to be the three... more >
NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

17/09/2019NHS dreams come true for Teesside domestic

Over 20 years ago, a Teesside hospital cleaner put down her mop and took steps towards her midwifery dreams. Lisa Payne has been delivering ... more >
How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

24/10/2018How can winter pressures be dealt with? Introduce a National Social Care Service, RCP president suggests

A dedicated national social care service could be a potential solution to surging demand burdening acute health providers over the winter months,... more >
RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

24/10/2018RCP president on new Liverpool college building: ‘This will be a hub for clinicians in the north’

The president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has told NHE that the college’s new headquarters based in Liverpool will become a hu... more >