Outdated technology systems still ‘limiting’ UK patient care

A new Computacenter survey has found that IT decision-makers believe outdated digital technology systems are still limiting patient care.

The independent provider of digital technology infrastructure and services surveyed a portion of the IT-related health sector workers, and discovered that over a third (36%) of respondents’ staff have asked for faster digital technology systems, to ensure their practices run efficiently.

Similar demands are also being made by patients, with over a quarter (26%) of respondents claiming the public have asked for faster digital technology systems.

Also according to the survey, deploying table devices and Microsoft Office 365 were ranked as the two biggest technology implementation targets. Whereas, only 24% of respondents cited that deploying Windows 10 this year was a business priority.

Improving the overall patient experience and enabling staff to succeed were cited as two of the biggest measures of success for NHS Trusts.

However, the sector is facing on going pressure when it comes to budgets, and 36% of those surveyed believed that this was holding back digital technology system upgrades.

Rob Stanley, Computacenter’s director of end user services commented: "Intuitive access to information and increased mobility in the NHS can make a massive difference to staff productivity. Empowering clinicians with devices and applications that enable them to securely access patient data anytime and anywhere helps them to proactively improve outcomes for patients."

The NHS and healthcare sector in general still tend to be behind the times when it comes to technology, with Matt Hancock, Health Secretary having to put a ban on fax machines in favour of modernised technology as part of the Long Term Plan.