In this blog, our Commercial Director Tim Robinson highlights the need and significance of digital transformation in the NHS post-COVID-19. He explores how the NHS has had to swiftly adapt to new approaches, the role of industry and commercial partners, and how the East Midlands has locally responded to embedding digital transformation.
Nationally the 'digital landscape' in the NHS has shifted significantly in response to the crisis created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen deployments of new software, platforms, and digital solutions at an unprecedented speed and scale. This is certainly reflected in the experience in the East Midlands, in particular in the space of online and video consultation models. This has been evident across both primary care (GP practices) and secondary care organisations (including acute hospitals, community providers and mental health trusts) where there has been extensive deployments of a range of platforms.
The overall approach in the Midlands region has involved (to varying degrees) a number of different NHS organisations and teams, including the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) for the East and West Midlands. Another essential part of the success has also been the close collaboration with commercial partners who responded with solutions and services to support the rapid deployment needed in the NHS. Inevitably, with an organisation with the structure and scale of the NHS there will be some overlap between programmes and initiatives. We have seen much more collaborative working in response to COVID-19 within many organisations working much more closely - and this continues to be the case as we move into the reset and recovery phase. This closer working and communication will hopefully continue to deliver benefits on a long term basis.
The challenge now is how these solutions are embedded and sustained, and the true transformative potential. Sustainability needs to be addressed in terms of financial impact and also developing pathways that deliver true benefits to patients. Further work is required to enhance and optimise digital pathways that were introduced in response to COVID-19 to ensure they continue to add value and meet the needs of patients and service users. Many organisations are actively pursuing the continued use of digital platforms to deliver services, and there is every indication this will continue to grow and develop in number of service models.
The rise of digital services brings with it concern about equity of access to services, where digital exclusion creates a barrier to service access for vulnerable people in our communities and for those who may have difficulty accessing digital platforms. A 'digital first' rather than 'digital only' approach is one way of addressing some of these issues of equity.
In summary there is still a good way to travel on the digital pathway transformation journey for NHS services; however, the Coronavirus pandemic has opened up the road and provides a real insight into what is possible with the right focus and motivation. The East Midlands AHSN will continue to work with local organisations and systems – and with our neighbouring West Midlands colleagues across the NHS Midlands region - to support the development of services and leverage the power of digital solutions.
Next month (October) the two AHSNs will be hosting a weeklong series of virtual events as part of Midlands Digital Health and Care week. Taking place from 12-16 October these will showcase successful digital transformation projects from across the Midlands, focusing on the restoration, recovery and reset of series following COVID-19. Remote/video consultations are likely to be a popular topic at this event. For more information visit our Eventbrite booking page.
Author
Tim Robinson, Commercial Director