The Government’s ten-year plan for the NHS in England places technology at the heart of its strategy.
Emerging technologies, including wearables, robotics, data-driven systems, and genomics, will be harnessed to deliver personalised treatment, increase efficiency, and alleviate pressures on the workforce.
As the professional body for IT, BCS welcomes, and is ready to support, the emphasis on investment in the digital skills of all NHS staff, as well as in AI and digital technology itself. Realising the government’s vision depends not only on innovation, but on the people and systems behind it.
The BCS’ Faculty of Health and Care Policy recommendations to government:-
Commit to a 10-Year Digital Transformation Plan: A long-term digital strategy is essential to ensure the successful and sustainable implementation of technology, including AI, across the NHS.
Make digital professionalism central to the plan: Encourage and enable NHS digital, data, and technology staff to be professionally registered, building public trust in the safe, ethical, accountable, and effective use of technology.
Develop structured digital career pathways: Support NHS staff with investment in digital training, clear career routes, and access to professional registration and accreditation.
Ensure ethical deployment of high-stakes technologies: BCS urges the NHS and government to embed ethical standards, and robust, transparent governance into every stage of system design and deployment.
Empower digital leaders: CIOs, CCIOs and NHS digital teams must be adequately resourced, recognised and supported to lead transformational change effectively.
Will Smart, Chair of the BCS Faculty of Health and Care said: "The plan rightly emphasises investment in the digital skills of all NHS staff. The NHS currently employs over 40,000 staff in digital, data and technology roles and they are key partners in delivering the transformed service.
“The government must also ensure it matches its investment in technology with a clear strategy for the digital transformation of the health service in England. We look forward to working with the government and the wider NHS to ensure the digital profession is engaged and equipped to deliver the necessary tools and services to realise its vision.”
"Digital maturity is not just about what software modules you've got. It‘s about better patient outcomes."
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