Review launched into NHS IT

A review has been launched to look at ways to improve the use of information technology (IT) in the NHS.

The review has been launched by IT Professor Bob Wachter and aims to evaluate ways to improve electronic health records and achieve a paperless NHS by 2020.

Wachter will examine examples of best practice in the use of IT in healthcare as well as areas that need improvement, considering the experiences of clinicians and trust leaders as well as the current capacity and capability of trusts’ IT systems.

Wachter said: “The NHS is one of the world’s largest health and healthcare systems, and one of its largest employers. It’s essential that information technology across the NHS works well and can perform the tasks needed to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. I am looking forward to finding out about some of the great work taking place across the NHS and highlighting areas for improvement.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Improving the standard of care patients receive even further means embracing technology and moving towards a fully digital and paperless NHS. NHS staff do incredible work every day and we must give them and patients the most up-to-date technology – this review will tell us where we need to go further."

The launch of the review follows the announcement from Hunt that £4 million worth of funding would be made available to support the use of IT in the NHS and support a move towards a paperless health service.

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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