In a recent speech at NHS Confed on 12 June, Amanda Pritchard supported a drive for cross care collaboration, discussing pilots across seven integrated care boards. These pilots are designed to deliver the goal of streamlined access to urgent care or advice, and proactive, personalised care for patients with long-term needs to produce results that will be integral to the future of the NHS.

Alongside this drive for collaboration, with the NHS and local government under unprecedented financial pressures, now, more than ever, every penny spent must be used to deliver improved outcomes across all care settings.

We take our role in the transformation of care seriously, and on the path to digital maturity it is essential that we assist health and social care providers in delivering the best service they can with limited resources. Value for money is not simply a goal or ambition, but a fundamental element of delivering fully integrated care. 

 

Cross ICS capability 

If integrated care systems (ICSs) are the key to transformation it stands to reason that capability and delivery must be ICS-wide to move forward with digital maturity. IT systems must have a cross-ICS capability, providing greater visibility of a populations needs and contributing to ongoing preventative care, despite the hurdle of limited resources. 

This poses significant questions and challenges for leaders of regional digital transformation programmes – particularly where existing systems are already in place. Does the path to digital maturity mean disregarding systems that are already being used or is there a better way? With this in mind, how can ICSs prioritise value across all settings without compromising operational outcomes or the care of the population? 

 

Make the most of existing investments 

Digital transformation doesn’t mean tearing out the old and starting again. We would never advocate a rip and replace approach, instead we recommend a focus on making the most of current systems and processes - maintaining the best possible outcomes with existing investments while delivering value for money with additional capability. This balanced, evolutionary approach is the key to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation, without sacrificing stability or return on prior technology spend. 

Naturally, with digital transformation the time will come when some legacy systems must be replaced, but only when the timing is right, and commissioners can ensure they are selecting the correct system. Connecting high-quality tools where they are already in place across ICSs will deliver value, such as productivity savings, far quicker and at much lower incremental costs compared to wholesale system replacements. 

 

Our approach 

People and purpose are at the heart of the way we deploy our software and we've used this approach to ensure that our systems integrate as widely as possible with those from other providers, either by fully integrating third party systems or sharing APIs to facilitate data exchange. Take for example our CareFlow EPR, which seamlessly integrates cutting-edge functionality, spanning the entire patient journey and because CareFlow EPR can be deployed in a modular way it has the flexibility to fit in with local priorities - whatever the existing level of digital maturity. At the same time, it provides the power and capability to deliver wholesale service transformation. 

Where possible it is essential that new technologies integrate with existing systems, assisting by streamlining workflows and refining processes across all care settings.  

 

Committed to providing value to our customers 

We’re more than just a technology provider; we’re a partner in transformation, committed to the well-being and advancement of the communities we serve. We are a proudly British business whose primary focus is to serve the UK health and social care markets. Our approach has adapted over 40 years to reflect the evolving NHS and technology landscape and is crucially modified to the requirements of every individual organisation that we work with.  

We are advocates for ensuring that systems provide value, not only to the organisations purchasing them, but to the population. With the financial, resourcing and cultural challenges associated with accelerating digital maturity in mind, it is essential that ICSs make the most of valuable investments they have already made into systems and processes. 

To find out more about the importance of value as a key element of digital maturity, download our whitepaper or get in touch with us today.