New Microsoft report argues for importance of digital to improving health outcomes
08.07.2021
We have published a report for Microsoft, titled ‘Regional inequalities in health and social care: the power of digital technology to close the gap’.
The report identifies the challenges of regional inequalities in health outcomes and how they might be rectified. One solution, and a major one as the Government prepares for healthcare after Covid-19, will be the use of digital technology. Digitally integrating health organisations within an area and ensuring they can work in partnership with other services will be an essential part of creating a modern, joined up healthcare system which responds to patient need.
There are several areas where government could make more or better use of technology specifically to reduce undue variation in health. We would identify five broad areas for priority attention, which together provide a strategic framework for improvement:
System intelligence – improved system intelligence and information would enable health and social care managers, and local government leaders, to better monitor population health in their communities and design better health interventions.
System and organisational partnerships – health and social care organisations both within and outside the NHS should be working together in partnership at a system level. This would help deliver much better preventative care.
Data sharing – we need more data sharing, more fluidly, across integrated NHS services and also with external partner organisations, including local government, schools etc, in order to better manage overall population health.
Organisational working – supporting staff in individual organisations involved in the provision of health and social care would improve the delivery of services for patients: supporting and connecting staff, and improving digital skills and confidence, should be a big priority.
Supporting outreach – technology should be playing a more central role in outreach and engagement with harder-to-reach groups who are more likely to have poorer health outcomes. This should be allied to a digital inclusion agenda.