Navigating NHS digital transformation in 2024

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it’s important to reflect on the digital transformation journey of the NHS so far and contemplate what the future holds for this critical sector. With challenges continuing to arise, and the added complexity of individual Trusts left to plan and deliver digital projects independently, it’s fair to say the industry still has a way to go.

But the future looks bright, and as more Trusts realise the benefits of intuitive technology, like EDMS, we look forward to progressing our mission to revolutionise the clinician : patient experience. So, looking ahead, our CEO, Jon Pickering, shares his insights and predictions for the healthcare industry in 2024, and beyond.

The AI revolution in healthcare

Unmistakably, AI will lead the way in healthcare tech, particularly generative AI, over the next one to two years. It has the propensity to transform how we deliver more personalised services and care recommendations by being able to analyse and interpret limitless amounts of data. I think healthcare will be one of the industries to make dramatic progress using AI. However, the level of governance and testing of solutions required, and rightly so, emphasises the need to get clinical input into the development of any new tech for the sector.

Tech solutions driving efficiency in patient pathways

The demand for tech solutions leveraging patient data to impact the efficiency of patient pathways in hospitals, and contribute to the preventative care agenda, will be in most demand. This signals a paradigm shift towards more proactive and personalised healthcare interventions, aligning with the broader goal of improving patient outcomes and experiences.

The rising role of robotic process automation (RPA)

Next year, we will see a greater application of robotic process automation (RPA) in healthcare. Tech bots, like those aiding in subject access request (SAR) processes, will streamline and speed up monotonous, manual-intensive tasks. This reflects a commitment to improving efficiency and empowering patients with easier access to their personal data.

Challenges in NHS digital maturity and decision-making

Despite the promising strides in technology, challenges persist in the NHS' journey towards digital maturity. The self-imposed deadline of 2025 for all Trusts to have an electronic patient record (EPR) in place and a base level of digital maturity was always going to be a lofty goal. But with the target now pushed to March 2026, this has further implications for other competing technologies and services.

Individual Trusts, tasked with planning and delivering digitisation independently, face a considerable burden. A centralised approach to decision-making, coupled with adequate funding, is crucial for a cohesive and effective digital transformation. While Trusts excel in managing specific priorities, the backlog of procurement and deployments poses a significant challenge, and risks impacting other priority targets.

Mizaic’s year ahead

In a world that has become obsessed with tech advancements and streamlining, at Mizaic, we will be doubling down on helping the people who got us to where we are today: our customers.

With a real focus on how we can use tech to increase the customer experience and enhance our user community, our priority for the next 12 months is to stay focused and help as many Trusts as possible articulate the economic case for digitisation and removal of paper medical records.

We will also deliver the next generation of our product – MediViewer – with enhanced clinical user experience and launch our new AI capability, with features like handwriting recognition and clinical patient insights.

As we stand at the intersection of innovation and necessity, the future is bright, and Mizaic is poised to lead the charge towards a more streamlined, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare future.

Ready to take the first step towards a digitally enhanced healthcare experience powered by EDMS in 2024? Get in touch with our team to discuss your Trust’s specific requirements.