Digital technologies will play a vital role in ensuring the NHS workforce can cope with future demands on the system, according to a new report by Health Education England.
According to the report, titled: ‘Harnessing digital technologies for workforce development, education and training: an overview’, as demand for the NHS and social care workforce continues to grow over the next decade, maximising digital technologies will allow for the transformation of workforce planning and supply, education and training, clinical decision-making and deliver personalised healthcare services.
Expanding on the legacy of the Topol Review, chaired by digital leader, cardiologist, and geneticist Professor Eric Topol, this report delves deeper into ensuring that the health and care workforce is digitally ready for the future. It examines how digital technology is being used to develop a continuous learning environment, enabling new ways of working and highlights how improved technology can help health and care services to be organised and delivered more efficiently.
Enhancing the use of digital technology also means the NHS and partners can widen access and participation for healthcare training and education and promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
Patrick Mitchell, Director of Innovation, Digital and Transformation, Health Education England said: “This report highlights how HEE’s approach to using current and emerging innovative technologies in educating and training future and current health professionals and the development of strong digital capabilities will help to deliver quality and safe 21st Century care. A great deal has been achieved in a relatively short period of time and shows the immense benefits the use of digital technologies have in health and care services.”