Digital tech can help transform NHS care: BT survey

* 83% believe greater technology investment can help to attract a younger workforce

* 74% agree that technology helps to deliver better quality care

* The current standard of technology at work is a source of stress for 49%

* 58% suffer from building connectivity not-spots forcing some 24% to revert back to older ways of working

* 79% feel that involving PPI groups in the development of technology would be beneficial

* Through its Vanguard Programme, BT co-creates tailored technology alongside NHS Trusts to address common deployment challenges

Nearly three quarters of NHS staff believe technology could help transform patient care in England, with more than 80% claiming it could attract more ’digital natives’ into the workforce, according to a new study by BT.

The research, which polled respondents at 136 different NHS and integrated care organisations within the NHS, indicates that NHS staff view technology as a key aspect of healthcare, but the intended benefits are not always felt where they are most needed.

BT is committed to working together with the NHS to build smarter, safer, more efficient services for everyone. It says the study proves the need for new technology but also notes the challenges reported by NHS staff on how health services are adopting this tech on the frontline. 77% of respondents cited lack of funding as a major hurdle, while a lack of existing skills and resources (75%) and areas with no connectivity (58%) are also issues.

The research suggests that greater communication around technology adoption will help overcome these barriers, with half agreeing that regular feedback sessions (50%), evidence of benefits (51%) and having a clear roadmap (55%) will improve technology adoption and enhance their own role. There are also strong calls for more co-creation during the development of solutions. 79% cite the benefits of PPI groups (patient, public involvement) as part of any technology design or deployment project within the NHS.

Staff are the enablers, and tech can help boost recruitment

The study shows that healthcare professionals view technology as having an important role to play in addressing one of the biggest issues facing the NHS today: staff shortages. 74% want their organisation to invest more in new technological solutions and software to help attract new staff, and 83% think it can help to attract a younger workforce from digitally native generations.

Despite recognising the benefits digital technology can bring for healthcare services, the study also shines a light on some of the challenges to progress. The current standard of technology remains a source of stress for nearly half (49%) of NHS staff. They are under considerable pressure, and staffing levels and burnout (42%) are seen as the biggest barriers (outside of funding) to digital transformation. This is followed by cultural resistance to change (37%) and workforce availability and capability (37%). 75% feel that team capacity (e.g. lack of relevant skills and / or resources) is slowing innovation.

Evolving infrastructure through collaboration

While healthcare professionals say the approach to technology adoption needs to evolve, so too does the infrastructure required to support the latest innovation. However, fully connected, interoperable systems, which enable staff to seamlessly connect to apps and solutions are seemingly a little way off.

Nearly all respondents (98%) agree that network, Wi-Fi infrastructure and mobile technology are critical to future innovations in the delivery of healthcare, but 58% suffer from building not-spots (areas that receive little or no connectivity) and 51% have to switch between devices to carry out tasks. Consequently, 59% cite difficulties implementing new technology with existing systems and almost one in four (24%) have reverted to older processes due to connectivity issues.

Professor Sultan Mahmud, BT’s Director of Healthcare, said: “It’s clear from this research that NHS staff have a real belief in technology and its potential for delivering greater healthcare for everyone. However, it’s also clear that we need to work together to evolve the approach to adoption and infrastructure. This is about making sure technology is a driver: easing staff stresses, supporting recruitment, unlocking digital transformation, and delivering better patient outcomes. The NHS needs partners that will stand alongside it shoulder-to-shoulder, and BT is proud to be on that journey.”

To support NHS Trusts with this ongoing challenge, BT has launched its Vanguard Programme. The ‘clinically led, digitally enabled’ programme sees BT partner with NHS Trusts to co-create technology that is specifically developed for the challenges healthcare providers face. The programme focuses on the needs of patients, clinical staff, administrators, or the many others who are critical to delivering care.

Dr Tim Ringrose, President, Digital Health, Royal Society of Medicine, added: “The NHS finds itself under immense pressure and it needs partners that are able to really listen and co-create solutions that have a positive impact on workloads and patient experience. We can all see the potential technology can have, but right now it’s not always deployed in the right ways. Our mission is to share healthcare learning and support innovation, and the future of our healthcare system is dependent on working with partners that have similar commitments.”.

Further data and analysis can be found in BT’s new 2023 report, ‘Mind the Gap! Delivering digitally enabled change to the NHS’.

Methodology

BT’s Healthcare team commissioned an independent survey of 197 staff at 136 different NHS and Integrated Care System organisations within the NHS. The survey was carried out online between the 8th – 30th November 2022.

Professor Sultan Mahmud

Professor Sultan Mahmud is BT's Director of Healthcare

Data-Sharing Done Right: Finding the Best Business Approach

Bart Koek • 20th November 2024

To ensure data is not only available, but also accessible to those that need it, businesses recognise that it is vital to focus on collecting, sorting and governing all the data in their organisation. But what happens when data also needs to be accessed and shared across the business? That is where organisations discover a...

Nova: The Ultimate AI-Powered Martech Solution for Boosting Sales, Marketing...

Erin Lanahan • 19th November 2024

Discover how Nova, the AI-powered engine behind Launched, revolutionises Martech by automating sales and marketing tasks, enhancing personalisation, and delivering unmatched ROI. With advanced intent data integration, revenue attribution, and real-time insights, Nova empowers businesses to scale, streamline operations, and outperform competitors like 6Sense and 11x.ai. Experience the future of Martech with Nova’s transformative AI...

How E-commerce Marketers Can Win Black Friday

Sue Azari • 11th November 2024

As new global eCommerce players expand their influence across both European and US markets, traditional brands are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. These fast-growing Asian platforms have gained traction by offering ultra-low prices, rapid product turnarounds, heavy investment in paid user acquisition, and leveraging viral social media trends to create demand almost in real-time. This...

Why microgrids are big news

Craig Tropea • 31st October 2024

As the world continues its march towards a greener future, businesses, communities, and individuals alike are all increasingly turning towards renewable energy sources to power their operations. What is most interesting, though, is how many of them are taking the pro-active position of researching, selecting, and implementing their preferred solutions without the assistance of traditional...

Is automation the silver bullet for customer retention?

Carter Busse • 22nd October 2024

CX innovation has accelerated rapidly since 2020, as business and consumer expectations evolved dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, finding the best way to engage and respond to customers has become a top business priority and a key business challenge. Not only do customers expect the highest standard, but companies are prioritising superb CX to...

Automated Testing Tools and Their Impact on Software Quality

Natalia Yanchii • 09th October 2024

Test automation refers to using specialized software tools and frameworks to automate the execution of test cases, thereby reducing the time and effort required for manual testing. This approach ensures that automation tests run quickly and consistently, allowing development teams to identify and resolve defects more effectively. Test automation provides greater accuracy by eliminating human...