Recommendation 16

In response to our questions about when there would be an implementation plan, NHSX told us that it had intended to produce a digital strategy during the first eight months of this year. It put out for consultation the vision part of its digital strategy in February 2020, which was to be followed by six months of consultation and “co- creation” between the national bodies and frontline. The Department explained that the development of the strategy had been delayed as a result of the extra demands that had been placed on organisations as a result of COVID-19, but it was still its intention to undertake this consultation.27 The Department told us that it will take a “blended” approach to planning, which will take place nationally, as well as locally by NHS systems and individual organisations. NHSX added that its digital ambitions would primarily be delivered by the frontline, so their capability, decisions and progress were fundamental to overall success. As such, it considered that it was important that the national bodies helped local systems and organisations by giving them parameters, support and guidance.28