Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Technology offers benefits, but many physicians lack essential hardware and software for remote outpatient care.
Conclusion
Evidence submitted by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the Royal College of Radiologists noted that technology can be used to eliminate waste in the system and prioritise patients better. However, the Royal College of Physicians told us in their evidence that while technology presents opportunities, it had conducted a survey in which only 62% of physicians said they had the hardware they needed and just 59% said that they had software capable of delivering outpatient care remotely.49 Securing clinical engagement
Government Response Summary
NHSE and DHSC will publish the most recent outcomes from the Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) in the near future. They will be working to tackle the gaps identified through a range of programmes, to start delivery in April 2026. This will include the Frontline Productivity programme.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.7 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Target implementation date: April 2026 4.8 NHSE and DHSC will publish the most recent outcomes from the Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) in the near future. That work demonstrates the progress made over the course of the last year to improve the quality of infrastructure, but the government acknowledges the system is not where it needs to be. 4.9 Through the DMA the department is assessing the status of each organisation against a standardised set of key capabilities and will be working to tackle the gaps identified through a range of programmes, to start delivery in April 2026. This will include the Frontline Productivity programme which will focus on driving productivity gains through the effective implementation of systems as well as addressing legacy and cyber security remediation risks. 4.10 However, ultimately system and provider leadership teams are responsible for ensuring they maintain a compliant and appropriately modern technology stack, in conjunction with the national team where shared services are used, To that end, the government is looking to use existing and new oversight mechanisms to ensure digital maturity is appropriately considered by provider leaderships and at key touchpoints with DHSC and NHSE and will set out further detail in forthcoming publications. 4.11 To ensure IT systems are properly connected, Parliament recently passed the Data (Use & Access) Act which requires the department to set and to mandate the adoption of technical standards. The government is currently working through the implementation and enforcement approach to enact those regulations in order to drive compliance among the supplier base.