Electronic decision support ‘to be the norm for all clinicians’ under NHSE plan

Electronic systems and clinical decision support software must become “the norm” for all NHS clinicians, under plans being drawn up by NHS England’s new transformation directorate, HSJ has revealed.

The massive increase in clinicians’ use of technology forms a major part of the draft plans, seen by HSJ, with the new directorate set to launch ambitious targets for the health service.

Other targets include every integrated care system creating virtual wards which are the equivalent size of a district general hospital — around 500 beds each — and installing electronic patient records at every NHS trust.

The proposals are led by former US healthcare chief Tim Ferris, NHSE’s new transformation director, who was appointed last year.

According to the plans, NHSE’s ambition is to increase the “safe and effective use” of computer assisted processes and clinical decision support so it becomes the “expected norm for all clinicians”.

NHS leaders have welcomed the use of virtual wards to improve home care and reduce hospital occupancy, but clinicians have warned of safety issues within virtual wards, with some prominent doctors calling for a careful implementation of the policy.

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Source: HSJ, 2 February 2022