Welcome to part 4 of the myHSN op-ed on 5 steps to NHS success, written by our co-founder Dr Andrew Stein. Read on to find out why IT and computer systems are a big deal to an organisation like the NHS.
4. Improved IT
Successive governments over the past 20 years have tried and failed to create a national NHS electronic patient record (EPR).
On a local and sub-regional level, the systems are not compatible, so GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, mental health and ambulances aren’t aware of what other areas are doing. This leads to many mistakes, especially related to prescribing medicines.
Theoretically, it’s easy to link up systems when you have thousands, or even tens of thousands of people’s data. However, when this runs into the millions it becomes a bit difficult, especially because the NHS uses substandard systems. The issue is surmountable, but only with an injection of cash.
Solution: sub-regional integrated care system-based EPRs, eventually linked up nationally and to NHS App
Many hospitals in the UK are bringing in American EPR systems now, including Cerner and EPIC. What we now need to do is link up these EPRs across the company as well as to the NHS App. The NHS App is an excellent tool that is now used by over 30 million people, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of people in an integrated care system is about right for a sub-regional EPR. So these changes need to be driven through, even if hospitals are initially reluctant.
But how much will it cost? The initial purchase cost for a larger hospital group is over £200 million even for a cheaper system, and can cost £7 million a year to maintain. Once you start scaling that up, the cost is large – £8.4 billion for 42 ICSs in England, and about £300 million a year to maintain them.
So yes, they are very expensive, but this cost is tiny compared to the £37 billion we spent on track and trace.
How (would this affect you)?
In a number of ways. You could present to any A&E in your region and have all of your past medical and medication history ready for the first doctor who sees you. This would remove significant delays to both getting your normal medications, and the right treatment for your illness.
It would improve overall care by ensuring aspects of your medical history are not missed and are integrated into your care decisions.
There would be immediate access to your vaccination records, and you could receive any vaccinations you’re due for while in hospital.
A joined-up NHS is a properly functioning NHS. Until IT systems are joined up, there will continue to be delays to care, discharges and everything in between. The time to change is now.
Join us tomorrow for the 5th and final instalment of the myHSN op-ed.
As always, best wishes from myHSN!
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