2020health’s report on “Fixing NHS IT” is published today
and featured in the Financial Times and on smarthealthcare.com. In it we detail how incoming government could save at least £1 billion
by realigning the troubled NHS computer programme and boosting its performance. We have compiled an unprecedented dossier gleaned from extensive
interviews with key participants of what has worked, what should be stopped and
what next.
Instead, the approach it recommends is to accelerate the
benefits from exploiting the new NHS infrastructure, while halting or
redirecting failing parts of the programme. It puts forward 30 detailed
recommendations for action, all to be executed within 12 months of a new
government taking office.
• Future national IT approaches should only be done in limited circumstances. Trusts should be free to set their own direction to meet local clinical priorities, provided nationally agreed standards are met.
• A
course of national action and investment is needed in areas where IT is
currently under-exploited in the NHS, notably telemedicine and collaborative
technology, which are a focus in other countries such as in
• Those elements of NPfIT which are a valuable platform for the future should be developed. These include N3 (the NHS broadband network), PACS (the capture and communication of radiological and other images) and the Electronic Prescription Service.
• Action should be concentrated on addressing the care records service in acute hospitals where the failings are greatest. A series of tests are proposed and a plan of action should the model fail those tests.
• The roll-out of the controversial Summary Care Records project (part of the NHS Spine) should be halted and subjected to review.
• A radical reorientation and downsizing of the central IT organisation is needed for it to become more transparent and accountable to the NHS, in combination with a consolidation and strengthening of IT provision at the local level.
Ultimately we musn't forget that IT is not a goal - it's an enabler - and 21st century healthcare and improved patient outcomes can't be delivered without it. We hope that our implementation plan will ensure that this is a ball that isn't dropped on May 7th.