Independent report

Impact of digital technology in health and social care

Study showing the potential benefits to staff and patients of greater use of information and digital technology in the NHS and social care.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 16 January 2013

Documents

A review of the potential benefits from the better use of information and technology in health and social care

PDF, 607 KB, 60 pages

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Details

The potential benefits to staff and patients of greater use of information and digital technology in the NHS and social care are shown in a new study, published today.

The study, commissioned by the Department of Health from Price Waterhouse Coopers, found that measures such as more use of text messages for negative test results, electronic prescribing and electronic patient records could improve care, allow health professionals to spend more time with patients and save billions of pounds.

The report says that a potential £4.4billion per year could be reinvested in improving care by making better use of information and technology.

Among the cases highlighted in the report are:

• the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital conducted a trial of a system that asks spinal surgery patients to record their progress on an iPad while in hospital, then at home through an online system after being discharged. This created an estimated 300 new outpatient appointment slots per consultant surgeon per year - 95 per cent of patients preferred the new online process to the traditional pen and paper method.
• Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospitals Trust trialled a computerised paperless system on its haematology and dermatology wards. This meant that professionals could see GP referral letters, letters from clinics, test orders and X-rays. They found that they could save 30 minutes in a three and a half to four hour clinic.
• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals brought in an electronic prescribing system which meant that the accuracy of prescriptions was radically increased and they estimated the system could reduce potential adverse reactions to drugs by up to 60 per cent

Published 16 January 2013