13 January 2011
UK technology trade body advise government on how to deliver a ground breaking information strategy for healthcare
Intellect the trade association for the UK’s technology industry has today warned that the government’s plans for an information revolution in the NHS will require a huge cultural change by patients if health and social care is to really benefit from the revolution.
In their response to the government’s consultation on the use of information in the healthcare sector Intellect has set out six key areas that need to be improved and need to accompany a new Information Strategy.
1. Developing a comprehensive framework for standards and interoperability
2. Placing quality information in the hands of patients, clinicians and commissioners
3. Integrating care within and beyond the NHS
4. Driving efficiency, productivity and innovation
5. Addressing informatics capacity and capability
6. Stimulating the market
Intellect says that the government’s plans for an information revolution is an exciting opportunity to show how the NHS and industry can drive a step-change in health and social care that will be centred on patients and clinicians through better use of information technology.
Jon Lindberg, Intellect’s Healthcare Programme Manager said, “The Information Revolution is an ambitious but necessary reform agenda that empowers patients and users by giving them the potential to be more involved in their care and having readily, accurate information available. However, the new information strategy does not recognise the extent of the cultural change that will be required if patients are to become active “information consumers”, confidently handling their own medical records and choosing between providers and services.
Jeremy Nettle, who chairs Intellect’s Healthcare council said: “Our response reflects the intellectual property, years of healthcare experience and demonstrates a vision for healthcare in the short to medium term that will be built on sound foundations.”
Intellect recommends that the Department of Health continues to work closely with Intellect and other stakeholders beyond the consultation period to ensure a pragmatic implementation of the strategy takes place and that there is the necessary leadership, capability and capacity to drive transformation.
Download the full repsonse here: NHS Information Revolution - Intellect response
Read Jon's blog on Information Revolution - Culture change: main challenge for NHS Info Revolution
Notes to Editors: Intellect’s healthcare programme represents and provides a collective voice for more than 240 companies (from multinationals to SMEs), many of whom are at the forefront of developing and deploying solutions across the sector. The healthcare programme works with policy makers, decision makers and industry to enable the delivery of 21st century. www.intellectuk.org/healthcare
Intellect’s response was developed in collaboration with Intellect members following a roundtable discussion with Paul Jones, Kathy Mason and Ken Lunn from the Department of Health Informatics Directorate (DHID), a workshop and presentations with DHID and other stakeholders, and written submissions from members. This response has been approved for submission to the DH by the Intellect Healthcare Council on behalf of the UK health ICT industry.
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