Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 29
29
We recommend that NHSE/I and the Department for Health & Social Care set out their...
Recommendation
We recommend that NHSE/I and the Department for Health & Social Care set out their assessment of how effective the use of technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”) has been across all health and care services. As part of this assessment, we ask that both NHSE/I and the Department to clearly set out how they plan to ensure patients’ wellbeing is not jeopardised by the risk of being digitally excluded from accessing medical treatment and advice. We also ask that NHSE/I and the Department set out what aspects of telemedicine have worked well, including which new models of service delivery have worked particularly well, and what plans there are 68 Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond (if any) to invest in and support the further use of such technology and new pathways in the health and care system. We request an update on these matters by the end of
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government agrees with the Committee that it is important to assess the effectiveness of the use of technology and digital alternatives (“telemedicine”) across all health and care services. NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) are currently undertaking a review of the use of technology and digital alternatives across the NHS. The review will assess the effectiveness of these technologies and identify any risks to patients’ wellbeing. The findings from the review will be used to inform the future deployment of technology in the NHS. As part of the review, NHSE/I will also assess how to ensure that patients’ wellbeing is not jeopardised by the risk of being digitally excluded from accessing medical treatment and advice. This will include considering how to provide support to patients who are not able to use technology, such as providing face-to-face appointments or telephone consultations.