Digital tools key to improve patient flow in the NHS, report says

Digital technology should be used to support whole-system patient flow rather than simply improving bed management, according to a new report from Public Policy Projects (PPP).

Beyond bed management: enabling whole-system patient flow through digital intelligence argues that persistent flow problems across the NHS are rooted as much in governance and fragmented pathways as in operational pressures within hospitals.

It says digital tools have potential to improve the movement of patients across acute, community and neighbourhood care settings. However, participants warned that technology alone will not resolve longstanding bottlenecks.

Instead, it calls for a shift from viewing patient flow as solely a bed management issue.

The report draws on a roundtable held on 18 March 2026, chaired by Dr Victoria Betton, director for digital, data and AI at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex.

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Source: Digital Health, 6 May 2026