DHSC - A plan for digital health and social care (29 June 2022)

Summary

The health and social care system’s long-term sustainability depends on effective digital transformation. This document outlines the government's plans to reform and develop the use of digital technologies in health and social care in order to deliver a system that will be faster, more effective and more personalised. The plan pulls together the four goals of reform for the health and care system identified by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:

1. prevent people’s health and social care needs from escalating
2. personalise health and social care and reduce health disparities
3. improve the experience and impact of people providing services
4. transform performance

Content

This document covers the following subjects:

Section 1: embedding digital technologies

Equipping the system digitally for better care

• Digitising health and social care records
• A life-long, joined-up health and care record
• Digitally supported diagnoses

Supporting independent healthy lives

• Putting NHS services in people’s pockets through digital channels
• Scaling digital health self-help, diagnostics and therapies

Accelerating adoption of proven tech

• Systematising tech research and development partnerships
• Buying tech better across health and social care

Aligning oversight with accelerating digital transformation

• Using our regulatory levers
• Enforcing standards
• Supporting social care

Section 2: our vision for a digital future

How this will make a difference

A broader view

• Anticipatory care that promotes prevention and independence
• Personalising care
• Enhancing the impact on people providing services
• Continuously improving performance

Appendix A: our action plan for delivering a digital future

Appendix B: national digital channels roadmap (NHS App and website)