Technology has already transformed industries such as retail and banking and it is clear that digital technology has a significant part to play in transforming our health and social care services as well. In October 2014 the Five Year Forward View made a commitment that, by 2020, there would be “fully interoperable electronic health records so that patient’s records are paperless”.
In response to this, in September 2015, all Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG’s) were asked to produce a Local Digital Roadmap (LDR) which outlines how they will achieve the ambition of being ‘paper-free at the point of care’ by 2020 using technology.
In 2016, local health and care systems have also developed Sustainability and Transformation plans (STP’s) which highlight big opportunities to improve care by making common-sense changes to how the NHS works. Elements of this hinge on digital technology and so the LDR’s and STP’s were developed in parallel so that technology can make these changes easier. You can view the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham STP here.
Building on from the work so far achieved, we will continue to use technology to further improve your experience in receiving care. You will be able to:
- Self-check-in for Appointments
- Online patient services 24/7 access
- Have access to online feedback mechanisms
- Develop bespoke mobile applications to enable patient access and promote self care
- Be better informed of waiting times and have key healthcare messages in waiting rooms
- Have multiple channels for accessing GP Services
- Have increased access to booking online appointments with either your GP or Hospital
- Have access to Wi-Fi in Hospital as well as your GP Surgery
- Know your information is held and shared securely by those who need access to it
- Be able to have a remote consultation with your clinician whether that is your GP or Hospital Doctor
- Have access to a range of self-care and remote monitoring solutions as standard
And finally, you will be able to receive the best possible care by a clinician or service provider who is informed with the most up to date information about you at the point of care.