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Embedding change to drive forward a digitally mature NHS

Part of the Darzi Diagnosis, a new blog series by TPHC’s Consultancy team. Every month our experts explore an issue highlighted by Lord Ara Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS, and share how our knowledge and experience can support your efforts to improve patient care.   

By Myuran Kuhachandran, Consultant

Currently only 20% of NHS organisations have achieved digital maturity, despite 86% having implemented some form of Electronic Patient Records. Likewise, only 45% of social care providers use any type of digital care records. This disparity highlights the critical need for continued investment in digital infrastructure to ensure that all health and social care providers have access to modern, secure, and efficient systems.  

Close up of a stethoscope and digital tablet with virtual electronic medical record of patient on interface.Digital healthcare and network on modern virtual screen, DNA medical technology and futuristic concept.

The spring Budget 2024 announced £3.4 billion funding for NHS technology and transformation to drive productivity improvements and support the NHS Long-term Workforce Plan. This investment aims to help streamline operations and redirect billions of pounds back into the system – benefits that could translate into improved patient care and clinical outcomes. 

A tilt towards technology

Recent findings from Lord Darzi’s investigation also suggests the NHS is in a ‘critical condition’ amid surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s health. However one solution could be a tilt towards technology to unlock productivity, particularly outside hospitals. The report suggested that the NHS ‘continues to struggle to fully realise the benefits of information technology’ and that the workforce urgently needs the benefits of digital systems, use of automation and AI, and for life sciences breakthroughs to create new treatments.

The rapid public health response to COVID-19 was a catalyst for digital adoption in the NHS, fast-tracking innovations that would have otherwise taken years. As the system continues to recover from the pandemic, now is a pivotal opportunity to build on those advances, ensuring that all health and social care providers have access and can use a cohesive, interoperable system to deliver the best possible care. 

What does a Digital NHS look like? 

The “Integrated Care Systems: design framework” outlines the need for integrated care systems to streamline their digital infrastructure. Simplifying the complex digital environment will ensure that the population and professionals involved in care have timely and appropriate access to the right information for optimal care. 

This investment aims to create a digitally transformed NHS that boosts workforce capacity, eases the burden on NHS waiting times, and introduces cutting-edge technologies. By tracking patient data from the moment they enter care, the NHS can deliver efficient, integrated services that meet their needs. Likewise, transitioning from paper-based processes and outdated systems to modern electronic health and social care records will lead to increased efficiency and time savings, and enable staff and patients to securely access information whenever and wherever it is needed.

TPHC has led on transformation work to deliver a number of digital and analytics change programmes, enhancing operational efficiency and workforce productivity. One example is our work for North Central London on their digitising social care programme, outlined in the case study below.

TPHC excels in developing digital and data strategies aligned with patient, community or population needs, local priorities and national strategic aims. We have led on transformation work to deliver digital and analytics change programmes, enhancing operational efficiency and workforce productivity, including our work for North Central London (NCL) on their digitising social care programme.

NCL Integrated Care Board (ICB), in partnership with North London Councils, is focussed on improving the health and care of social care residents. The system seeks to modernise care delivery through training, technology, and digital solutions, promoting integrated care across organisations.  

NCL ICB aims to provide proactive, personalised care for care home residents, helping them to lead their happiest, healthiest lives. To achieve this, the Digital Care Home Programme was established to enhance the digital maturity of care providers across all five NCL boroughs. 

In 2022-24 TPHC provided programme management consultancy for the Care Home Programme’s digital initiatives, including collaborating with partners to help care homes:  

  • Achieve key data security and improve information governance.  
  • Enhance care quality by piloting digital tools like remote monitoring and acoustic technology.  
  • Strengthen connectivity between community care providers and primary care.  

We also reviewed governance structures, developed aligned communication strategies, contributed to cross-ICS strategy setting, and led on funding applications for new care tech opportunities.

We supported a number of successful initiatives on behalf of NCL ICB, with key results summarised below. 

InitiativeObjectiveOutcome
Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) Increase quality and efficiency of care and interoperability between community and primary care. DSCR implemented by 60% of providers by April 2024. 
Remote monitoring  Improve quality of care by detecting signs of deterioration and illness. Re-engaged “at risk” providers with 85% of providers using the remote monitoring system. 

Remote monitoring rolled out to 152 care homes with 1173 residents benefiting as of 2022/23. 
Acoustic monitoring  Reduce the number of falls in care homes. Installed in 10 care homes for 2022/23: increased quality of care provided, and service user and family satisfaction.

Reducing residents’ time spent in hospital. 
Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT)  Help care homes keep people’s information safe. Re-engaged Nursing/Residential and Domiciliary care providers. 

Achieving 95% and 80% “Standards Met” compliance on the DSPT respectively for 2022/23. 

Maximising digital investment

Rapid deployment of digital tools alone is not enough. Organisations are most likely to reap the benefits of digital by undertaking the change management necessary to embed innovations into daily operations. By assembling multidisciplinary teams of experts in digital, data, and NHS operations, and ensuring co-delivery with the system, TPHC can guide health and care organisations to mitigate risks, increase staff confidence, and unlock the full potential of their digital investments. 

How TPHC is driving innovation and improvement  

A woman stands in front of a white board

TPHC excels in developing digital and data strategies aligned with patient, community or population needs, local priorities and national strategic aims. Our all-encompassing approach ensures not only the seamless integration of digital tools into workflows but also the sustained adoption and maturity in their use, empowering staff, enhancing patient care, and maximizing the return on NHS investments. Not only does this include quantitative skills but also change management capabilities, which was highlighted in the Darzi review as critical to success.

Our digital strategy and transformation service delivers organisational change programmes, rapidly standing up multi-disciplinary teams of digital, data and clinical experts, experienced in Agile and co-delivery methodology.  

Our digital enablement service conducts end-to-end deployment of digital tools, from engagement and requirements gathering to procurement, clinical safety, governance, rollout, communications, training and monitoring impact.

We can ensure your digital strategy is:

  • Desirable and Viable: Engaging patients, staff, and decision-makers through co-design.  
  • Feasible: Assembling the right team and building strong business cases. 
  • Evidence-Driven: Using qualitative and quantitative research, including maturity assessments. 
  • Continually implemented: Applying Agile methods to deliver value quickly and consistently.  
  • Sustainable: Empowering your workforce and governance structures to embrace and sustain new approaches. 

Our approach will deliver benefits for our customers including: 

  • Improved patient experience: Successfully rolling out digital tools improves how patients access care. By prioritising engagement, we proactively address health inequalities related to the digital divide.  
  • Reduced risk: We minimise clinical, information governance, and operational risks by forming cross-organisational, multidisciplinary teams of digital, data, clinical, and NHS experts with clear roles.  
  • Leading business change: We drive the necessary changes for digital tool adoption, to maximise the value of NHS investment and boost staff confidence.