Results from the first year of the Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) showed that only 10-30% of the 90% of NHS trusts with an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) have key functionality and are therefore using fully their system.
In a presentation at the latest Digital Health Networks Exchange event in London, ‘Unlocking digital maturity in healthcare – achieving success’, Will Goodwin, Deputy Director of Programs – Digital Capability at NHS England, presented the findings of the inaugural year of the DMA Program.
Although 90% of trusts now have an EPR, only 10-30% of them have features such as integrated prescriptions and sharing records with Citizens and other hospitals.
Similarly, although 70% of ICSs have now introduced electronic bed management systems, less than 40% reported seeing benefits.
One in five providers also lack basic infrastructure, including fast network connectivity, Wi-Fi access, the presentation showed.
The Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) 2023 programme, commissioned by the NHSE in July 2022, tracked year-on-year improvements in digital maturity across the NHS.
Goodwin said the DMA findings highlight “pockets of best practice” which can be used as models to expand the adoption of key capabilities across the NHS. There has been a significant increase in the growth of digital roles and leadership, he said, with most systems now having a CIO equivalent.
He also highlighted specific examples, such as Newcastle’s work in population health, Cornwall and Devon’s implementation of a single REP system across five acute trusts in both ICS, and the Greater Manchester’s continuing role as a pilot center for the current DMA.
The results of the first year’s DMA revealed five potential priority areas, spread across different themes, that could lead to better health outcomes and economic value:
- Establish basic infrastructure and standards
- Deploy and develop capabilities around clinical systems
- System monitoring and capacity management
- Accelerate digital front doors for patient engagement and self-service
- Promoting population health at scale
Goodwin confirmed that the DMA will “go a little further” in terms of gathering information in year two, with more questions for organizations to answer, including an expanded section on AI.
He said we “must use the DMA as a tool” and must ensure it does not become simply a tick-box exercise.
Luke Readman, regional director of digital transformation for the London region at NHS England, also spoke in the first session of the day. He said it was a “mixed picture” in London in terms of digital maturity, but all four acute trusts in the capital’s northwest are using the Oracle Health Millennium EPR, a sign of “ evolution towards convergence.
Readman confirmed that 95% of organizations in London are connected to the London Shared Care Record with 1.7 million uses per month from 100,000 unique professionals.
