NHS digital Leaders call on Secretary of State to focus on digital basics

Summary – Five digital priorities for 2024

1. Financial Predictability, Governance and Trust:

The first priority is a call for greater predictability of national funding and policy initiatives and a reduction in chronic short-termism on digital which is described as hobbling the ability of local NHS IT leaders to plan and deliver improvements to the NHS through digital. The future funding of electronic patient record systems is a significant concern.

2. Consistent Focus on Getting the Basics Right

The second priority is for a consistent focus on ‘getting the basics right’, and ensuring staff have access to the reliable laptops, networks and Wi-Fi needed to do their job in a modern NHS. This comes under the ‘smart foundations’ of ‘what good looks like’. Failure to invest in digital basics is failing clinicians delivering care.

3. Workforce Development and reducing Digital Burnout through improved User Experience

The third priority focuses on workforce-related issues, such as the Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) workforce plan, training, and digital literacy amongst staff, which is a major concern. It also emphasises the need to ensure the onboarding process for new staff, and HR systems, are up to date and user friendly.

4. Data, Shared Records and Interoperability

The fourth priority calls for greater focus on data quality, data asset management, data sharing, standards and data infrastructure. Data driven insights (FDP) and leveraging AI capability require good data asset management and support to deliver Trusted Research Environments.

5. Greater sharing of Skills, Knowledge and Experience

The fifth priority is for much greater sharing of skills, knowledge and experience on digital across the NHS.

The priorities were identified at an in-person meeting of the elected advisory panels of the CCIO, CIO and CNIO networks held in London on 8 December.