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Select Committee · Health and Social Care Committee

Digital transformation in the NHS

Status: Closed Opened: 13 May 2022 Closed: 6 Sep 2023 8 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

The Committee has launched a new inquiry focusing on digital transformation in the NHS. The inquiry will explore the current use of digital technology and examine how it needs to change in order to deliver an improvement in services and outcomes for patients. The inquiry will consider key aspects of NHS digital transformation such as …

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Digital transformation in the NHS HC 223 30 Jun 2023 15 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
5 Conclusion Eighth Report - Digital transformation … Acknowledged

Shortage of skilled digital professionals impedes NHS digital transformation and increases reliance on suppliers.

A shortage of skilled digital professionals working in the NHS has been a barrier to digital transformation to date. Digital specialists can often command higher wages or better conditions in the private sector. This makes recruitment and retention to the NHS challenging, and leaves the health service reliant on third-party …

Government response. The government acknowledges the broad challenges in attracting and retaining DDaT specialists due to pay, career progression, and professional structure. It states it is working to improve recruitment and retention, including reviewing pay measures, and directs the Committee to the …
Department of Health and Social Care
12 Recommendation Eighth Report - Digital transformation … Acknowledged

Work collaboratively to understand best models for patient technology access and use

The NHS is a universal service, and people should not be unable to access it because of wider challenges around access to technology, connectivity and digital skills. The Department should work with NHS England and other Departments to understand what models would work best for supporting patients to use and …

Government response. The government expresses its commitment to accessible healthcare and notes existing multiagency partnerships and past initiatives like the Widening Digital Participation programme. It commits to continuing to investigate and learn from current models to support patients in accessing technology.
Department of Health and Social Care
13 Conclusion Eighth Report - Digital transformation … Acknowledged

Department recognises need for better communication on data security and digital healthcare benefits

We are encouraged by the Department’s recognition that it needs to do better in both reassuring people about the security of data gathered by the health service, and communicating the benefits of digital healthcare. We need to see this matched with action that demonstrates progress. Specific communication over NHS data …

Government response. The Department restates its recognition that it needs to improve communication on data security and the benefits of digital healthcare, and that different approaches are needed for different audiences.
Department of Health and Social Care

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
14 Mar 2023 Dr Tim Ferris · NHS England, Kathy Hall · Department of Health and Social Care, The Lord Markham CBE · Department of Health and Social Care View ↗
11 Jan 2023 Chris Askew · Diabetes UK, David Ramsden · Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Dr Tim Ferris · NHS England, Jackie Gray · NHS Digital, Kathy Hall · Department of Health and Social Care, Liz Ashall-Payne · ORCHA, Simon Bolton · NHS Digital View ↗
15 Nov 2022 Dr Paul Atkinson · Royal College of General Practitioners, John Dean · Royal College of Physicians, Karen Payne · NHS Dorset, Pritesh Mistry · The King's Fund View ↗