24
Accepted
We noted that having a clear grasp of the costs and benefits of digital transformation...
Conclusion
We noted that having a clear grasp of the costs and benefits of digital transformation will be essential to ensuring trusts are on board. We therefore asked what NHSX was doing to address this and help trusts see the long-term potential savings from its plans.51 NHSX recognised that engaging with those on the front line would be essential to the success or failure of its initiatives.52 It told us that it intended to complete an initial assessment of the costs and benefits of the different approaches to implementing electronic patient record systems within the next six months.53 However, the NHS also lacks cost and performance information on the true cost of legacy services. The NAO report highlighted that such information is vital for investment decisions on replacement IT systems and for producing a robust business case for such a change.54 48 Qq 76 -78 49 See footnote 49. 50 C&AG’s Report para 6, 13, 3.5, 51 Qq 86, 88 52 Q 88 53 Q87 54 C&AG’s Report, para 1.3 Digital transformation in the NHS 17
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the importance of understanding costs and benefits, committing to a new digital strategy by Spring 2021 that will detail how robust data will be collected and include a full economic assessment to drive future investment.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2021 4.2 DHSC and NHSX fully recognise the importance of having a clear understanding of the whole-life costs and benefits of digital transformation across the health and social care system. This is crucial for effective decision making and to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. The new digital strategy will therefore set out how we plan to achieve this, at both national and local level. 4.3 The strategy will detail how we will: establish a clear baseline and track the digital maturity of organisations; collect robust cost and benefit data from local systems; and develop the relevant tools and guidance to support local systems in making confident investment decisions. It will also outline how we will track and assess the impact of digital transformation on patients, clinicians and services. 4.4 DHSC and NHSX have already commissioned a full economic assessment of the value of digital transformation across the NHS, which is due to be published as part of the new digital strategy in Spring 2021. This will consider the whole-life costs and benefits of different approaches and will provide a clear evidence base to drive future investment.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Twenty-Second Report - Digital transformation in the NHS
06 Nov 2020
HC 680
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.7 yrs
Report published
06 Nov 2020