NHS plans to digitized healthcare by 2020

The National Health Service (NHS) has committed to make all the patients and care records digital, interoperable and real time by 2020.

The Personalized Health and Care 2020: A Framework for Action has been introduced in order to make use of digitization in healthcare services. The framework provides information on how NHS will deliver changes over paper based system and make best use of data and technology to improve patient care service in hospitals, community and home, clinical and social area.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced that the government is investing £4.2 billion to make full use of digitization into the health services. The investment includes £1.8 billion to digitize records to remove the dependency on paper and fax machines, and £400 million to build apps and provide free Wi-Fi in hospitals.

According to Mr. Hunt, by 2016 all the patients should be able to have their own GP electronic record online which not only include patient’s allergies and medication but also appointment records, blood test results and medical histories as well. And by 2018, this record will include all of your health and care interactions. By 2020, a quarter of patients with long term conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cancer will be able to check their health condition from home and sent it to their doctors and nurse through the internet.

Additionally, NHS has also introduced Summary Care Records which enables healthcare staff across the country to provide immediate care and treatment. By February 2016, around 55.06 millions of people have already created a Summary Care Record.

The government has aside £1 billion from the £4.2 billion funding towards the cyber security and data consent. And NHS is currently working with major companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple to create the new health apps which are already in development process.

An organization called National Information Board NIB has been established to bring all the national health and care together such as the Department of Health (DoH), NHS, public health, clinical science, social care and local government with appointed lay representatives. NIB will keep data and technology safely for patients, service users, citizens and caring professional. It also make sure that the health and care of the country is improving and maintainable.

The government of the UK hopes to see 10 percent of the patients using apps and online services like click and collect prescriptions, to access GP services in coming year.

Visit our blog page for latest update on healthcare system of the UK.

Recruitment Synergy is a UK based Medical Recruitment Agency. Remember us for Locum, temporary and permanent jobs across UK. We also provide compliance and migration consultation to our candidates.