How is the government investing in NHS IT systems?
NHS trusts will be given the opportunity to bid for part of a £200m funding boost to transform current NHS IT systems and create ‘internationally recognised centres for technological and digital innovation’ according to the Government.
As part of an overall plan to invest more in IT systems, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock also announced an NHS app pilot scheme which will enable patients to book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions, access online services for urgent medical enquiries via NHS 111, adjust preferences on data sharing, organ donation and end-of-life care, and access their medical records. The trials will take place in Liverpool, Hastings, Bristol, Staffordshire and South Worcestershire before being rolled out nationally later this year.
An ‘ideas hub’ in the form of a HealthTech Advisory Board will also be established to drive the transformation of IT in the NHS. It will be chaired by Dr Ben Goldacre and will report directly to Matt Hancock.
Further information
The Telegraph: The NHS’s stuttering IT systems are costing lives – we must bring them into the 21st century