Recommendation 24

We noted that having a clear grasp of the costs and benefits of digital transformation will be essential to ensuring trusts are on board. We therefore asked what NHSX was doing to address this and help trusts see the long-term potential savings from its plans.51 NHSX recognised that engaging with those on the front line would be essential to the success or failure of its initiatives.52 It told us that it intended to complete an initial assessment of the costs and benefits of the different approaches to implementing electronic patient record systems within the next six months.53 However, the NHS also lacks cost and performance information on the true cost of legacy services. The NAO report highlighted that such information is vital for investment decisions on replacement IT systems and for producing a robust business case for such a change.54 48 Qq 76 -78 49 See footnote 49. 50 C&AG’s Report para 6, 13, 3.5, 51 Qq 86, 88 52 Q 88 53 Q87 54 C&AG’s Report, para 1.3 Digital transformation in the NHS 17