What is it about?
In this paper, we look back over the national programme for IT in the NHS and critically assess what has worked well and what less so. We review how our current IT systems help doctors and nurses care for patients and what problems still exist. We go on to suggest several ways that digital technology could be developed and implemented to improve the delivery of healthcare.
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Why is it important?
We have identified key learning from previous and current implementations of large scale IT projects in healthcare. We discuss the use of global standards and how these could be combined with a 'people, process and technology' stratagem to form a particularly effective improvement method. These factors have been incorporated in a suggested approach aimed at NHS Trusts and larger scale organisations to adopt when considering how to further develop their IT strategy.
Perspectives
I am really delighted to have had the opportunity co-authored this article in the BJHM. A history of over 25 years in the NHS has been a privileged journey, and I have found the lessons of the past vital for our next steps as we navigate the challenges for the NHS and many lenses for developing digital and data strategy fit for the future and focussed on the right initiatives offering best value for the taxpayer. For readers I hope it's useful, informative and thought provoking and my personal thanks to BJHM and to Stephen Bush who is an excellent individual, clinician, informatician and co-author. Thank you.
Andrew Raynes
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Technology and the NHS: reflections on digital and data strategy, British Journal of Healthcare Management, April 2025, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjhc.2024.0071.
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