New research by Computacenter has highlighted that the UK healthcare sector remains hindered by a lack of modernisation.
A survey among IT decision-makers in the UK healthcare sector has highlighted that over a third (36%) of staff have asked for faster digital technology systems to ensure their practices run efficiently.
Empowering clinicians with devices and applications that enable them to securely access patient data anytime and anywhere helps them to pro-actively improve outcomes for patients
Similar demands are also being made by patients, with over a quarter (26%) of healthcare organisations who responded claiming the public have asked for faster digital technology systems.
Through smarter technology innovations, staff will be better placed to offer improved services, with access to quick and accurate information, while also maximising budget and increasing productivity, the research claims.
Modernising digital technology systems was, and continues to be, the top business priority for 2019.
And, according to the survey, deploying tablet devices and Microsoft Office 365 were ranked as the two -biggest technology implementation targets.
Whereas, only 24% of respondents cited that deploying Windows 10 this year was a business priority.
Rob Stanley, Computacenter’s director of end user services, said: “Intuitive access to information and increased mobility in the NHS can make a massive difference to staff productivity.
“Empowering clinicians with devices and applications that enable them to securely access patient data anytime and anywhere helps them to pro-actively improve outcomes for patients.”
The findings highlighted that much of the demand for digital transformation stems from end users in the form of employees and patients.
With modernisation recognised as a business goal, but conversely budget holding this back; the healthcare sector needs to revaluate how it deploys technology, so it can innovate employee and patient lives effectively
With access to remote digital technology devices such as tablets and collaborative file-sharing tools, staff will have the ability to respond on the scene, improving patient treatment times.
“Access to critical information is essential to day-to-day duties and streamlining this process will help to improve services while also cutting back on administrative time to free up valuable hours”, said Stanley.
Improving the overall patient experience and enabling staff to succeed were cited as two of the biggest measures of success for NHS trusts.
However, the sector is facing ongoing pressure when it comes to budgets, and 36% of those surveyed believed this was holding back digital technology system upgrades.
“With modernisation recognised as a business goal, but conversely budget holding this back; the healthcare sector needs to revaluate how it deploys technology, so it can innovate employee and patient lives effectively,” said Stanley.
Mark Chandiram, client director for Computacenter’s health and social care UK business, added: “A lack of resources and skills has hindered trusts’ ability to modernise digital technology, which means they are now struggling to meet patients’ and caregivers’ expectations.
“Modernising digital technology is vital for enabling greater efficiency and improving the patient experience.”
