Move toward digital outpatients promises improved patient experience

With more than 100 million outpatient appointments every year, the NHS has a major opportunity to introduce more efficient and patient-focused digital outpatient services. Across the country, there are many examples of GPs, hospital trusts and community services innovating with the latest digital technology to reduce pressure on outpatient services, improve patient experience and save resources.

DigitalHealth.London is working with NHS Improvement and the 15 Academic Health Science Networks to support even more organisations to take advantage of digital technology. Building on the momentum of last year’s pan-London workshop, two further projects are now underway, with regional workshops about to take place across England and digital outpatients collaboratives making rapid progress in London.

Bernard Quinn, Director Improvement Programmes, NHS Improvement said:

“More than ever people are using their mobile phones and laptops to perform everyday transactions. Yet the NHS has been slow to adapt to this trend. Opportunities to transform the way patients interact with and control their healthcare are significant. We are bringing NHS trusts and suppliers from across the country together to share and learn about digital opportunities in outpatient settings.”

Great progress with the London collaboratives

In April, two Digital Outpatients Collaboratives workshops took place at Broadway House Conference Centre, with 13 trusts attending over the two days. The project teams had made great progress and the DigitalHealth.London and Health Innovation Network team plans on supporting the trusts with site visits over the next six weeks before the final showcase event in June. Please contact Jess Parsons [Jessica.parsons3@nhs.net] to find out more.

Transformation across the country

Four regional events will take place between May and July in Birmingham, Leeds, Reading and Manchester. Sponsored by NHS Improvement and facilitated by the 15 academic health science networks (AHSN), the workshops will provide an opportunity for joint working between trusts from across the wider region. The workshops will support the sharing of best practice, unblock barriers to digital transformation, and deliver solutions to streamline processes and improve patient experience. Carefully selected technology partners will be on hand to identify and explore working outpatient solutions. Contact Catherine Harulow [Catherine.harulow@nhs.net] for information.