As the new Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, takes charge, there is a golden opportunity to fulfil a key manifesto promise: digitising the NHS Red Book.
This initiative aims to make child health records more accessible for parents and children, promising a healthier future for the next generation. However, this vision needs immediate action, not another round of delays.
Context
The previous government spent 7-8 years working on digitising the Red Book. Despite being fully ready by mid-2022, the government and NHS have been unable to roll out the digital Red Book due to political instability and leadership changes in both the government and the NHS England.
In fact, Nurturey, a supplier of digital red book, has successfully launched PinkBook (a digital twin NHS red book) in Dorset - and has been ready to go live nationally for about two years now. Nurturey PinkBook fully approved by the NHS and aligns with the long-term NHS App integration strategy. Watch the video overview here: Nurturey PinkBook Video.
Startups like Nurturey invested heavily to create solutions aligned with NHS’ vision but are now suffering huge financial losses and personal hardship due to government indecision and back-and-forth.
Call to Action
The new government must revitalise the NHS’ Digital Personal Child Health Record (DPCHR) project. By doing so, they can:
- Fulfil manifesto promise quickly: The digital Red Book can be launched nationwide by Autumn 2024, showcasing the government’s ability to deliver on its promises swiftly. See Labour's Child Health Action Plan here.
- Restore trust: Supporting this ready-to-launch solution will restore faith among startups and investors, crucial for fostering innovation.
- Efficient use of Resources: Unlock the value of resources already invested, save taxpayer money, and avoid duplicating efforts.
A Human-Centric Approach
The Labour government has committed to putting people first. Embracing the digital Red Book is a testament to this promise. It’s not just about technology; it’s about supporting families and ensuring every child receives the best start in life.
Now is the time for Health Secretary Wes Streeting to act. The digital Red Book project offers immediate, tangible benefits and demonstrates the government’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and public well-being. Let’s seize this opportunity to deliver on our promises and support the next generation.
For more information on the benefits of the digital Red Book, visit Nurturey PinkBook.
Image credit: iStock
