Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, an advisor to MedTech suppliers, chair of the Urology Trade Association, and governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, highlights a major step in making the NHS a digital first service provider.
UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, has announced major upgrades to the NHS app to help deliver on his commitment to help England’s health service switch from analogue to digital.
Writing for the Sun on Sunday, and citing the real-time information available to customers through the Deliveroo app, Streeting outlines key developments to the app aimed at improving patient choice and reducing waiting times:
- Patient Choice: Patients will be able to choose where they are treated through the NHS app, online, or by their GP. Options include local hospitals, other NHS hospitals, or private hospitals with available capacity, with the NHS covering the cost.
- Reducing Waiting Times: The government aims to cut waiting times “from 18 months to 18 weeks”. Hospitals will be incentivised to reduce waiting times by receiving higher payments for faster service.
- Addressing No-Shows: Inspired by the hospitality industry, the NHS will implement reminders and allow patients to cancel or rearrange appointments via the app, freeing up slots for others and reducing waste.
- Digital Notifications: Routine test results will be communicated through the app, saving patients time and reducing the NHS’s expenditure on letters.
The reforms are part of the Government’s plans to enhance NHS efficiency and patient experience, and show government delivering on its commitment to harness the potential of digital technologies significantly to upgrade the NHS.
The Author used AI in preparing this article. Comments upon or questions about this article can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
