Recommendation 7

Despite ambitions to improve productivity through the introduction of new technologies, the switch to digital in parts of the NHS has been glacially slow. Digital and technological improvements could have a transformative effect on the NHS. However, NHSE’s investment in technology over the period 2022–23 to 2024–25 stalled because funding was redirected to mitigate ICBs’ spending deficits. For example, a number of NHS trusts continue to rely on outdated IT equipment such as fax machines. The NHS currently lacks a consistent data infrastructure across its entirety and NHS providers vary in terms of technological maturity. NHS providers are often still too reliant on paper records but NHSE says it has a programme to address this over the next 18 months. NHS providers that have implemented electronic patient records have productivity levels that are 13% higher than those without them. recommendation Alongside its Treasury Minute response, NHSE should write back to the committee setting out its plans to reduce the reliance of NHS providers on paper within 18 months, including key milestones, and the proportion of NHS institutions it expects to be paperless at each milestone. A specific deadline should be set to end the use of fax machines within the NHS. 7 1 Funding and productivity Introduction