The NHS is at a critical turning point.
Digital transformation is no longer a future goal, but an immediate necessity.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s public consultation to shape the NHS’s 10-Year Plan emphasises the need to take it “from analogue to digital” and enable clinicians and patients to reap the benefits of advanced healthcare technologies.
The appetite is undeniable –I see enthusiasm for technology in healthcare services every day. But having spent 20 years in the service, I know that talk of tech is a distraction unless we get the basics right: this transformation can’t succeed without the right networks.
The NHS is at a critical turning point
We can’t afford to build a digital NHS on a shaky foundation. Its infrastructure must be fit for purpose.
A major shift already underway is the move from the legacy analogue copper phone network to alternative digital connectivity.
We’re talking about the UK’s historic Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The PSTN is reaching the end of its life and becoming increasingly fault-prone and difficult to maintain.
Yet it’s still connecting health services and devices across the UK – from telephone lines at GP surgeries and pharmacies,s right through to security and fire alarms, sensors, lift lines and gate entry systems.
The historic network is failing
Many NHS Trusts and local surgeries have already moved away from analogue copper networks, but the latest BT data (February 2025) suggests that around 50% of CNI customers in the health sector are yet to put a contracted plan in place to move their connected devices away from the legacy PSTN.
All the while, the urgency is building. The historic network is failing. Ofcom’s 2024 Connected Nations report showed a 45% spike in major network failures last year.
Delaying action will put services at risk and slow down the health innovation that will improve experiences for clinicians
and patients alike.
A modern, digital-first network is the first step to enabling better healthcare services. This isn’t just about personal or business landlines – the legacy network underpins critical infrastructure, from hospitals and GP surgeries to care homes and emergency services.
Ofcom’s 2024 Connected Nations report showed a 45% spike in major network failures last year
The NHS’s 10-Year Plan prioritises digital transformation, but we’ll only achieve it with future-ready infrastructure. Secure, high-speed connectivity is already unlocking innovations such as AI-assisted diagnostics, predictive analytics, and remote patient monitoring, improving efficiency and patient care.
It’s time to open these up to everyone.
The high cost of delay
Moving the UK from analogue to digital connectivity is a once-in-a-generation, industry-wide programme – and we can’t afford to leave the nation’s health service behind.
Whether it’s connecting healthcare devices like personal alarms, medical monitoring equipment, or phone lines, outdated networks can delay referrals, disrupt communication between healthcare teams, and limit access to real-time medical data.
Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds (64%) of NHS staff report that old systems make data-sharing between teams difficult, leading to treatment delays and inefficiencies.
A fast, resilient digital network is essential at every stage of care, from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management.
Moving the UK from analogue to digital connectivity is a once-in-a-generation, industry-wide programme
The operational benefits of switching from analogue copper to digital networks also include better stability and security, another pressing concern for the sector.
While 94% of NHS staff understand their role in preventing cyber-attacks, only 36% believe current measures are strong enough.
Meanwhile, 60% of UK citizens fear that cyber threats could disable critical NHS systems. Without modern, secure networks, hospitals, GP surgeries, and healthcare facilities remain vulnerable to data breaches and system failures.
What healthcare providers can do to prepare
For many NHS trusts and healthcare providers, the challenge isn’t just making the switch, it’s knowing where to start.
But this transition requires a proactive approach – and the support is there to help healthcare providers mitigate the growing risks of communication disruptions and futureproof their operations.
For many NHS trusts and healthcare providers, the challenge isn’t just making the switch, it’s knowing where to start
The NHS can’t make this change alone, and neither can telecoms companies: working together is the only way. Communication providers and tech specialists can offer valuable insights, technical support, and guidance on integrating new digital solutions efficiently and securely.
They will support health providers to review and test impacted devices – and make the switch to more reliable, digital connectivity.
The time to act is now
Organisations already making the transition are working closely with telecom providers to ensure a smooth migration.
At BT, we moved customers off almost 300,000 legacy business lines in 2024, and we’re urging the UK’s critical national infrastructure providers – including health services – to work with us now, and move away from the PSTN this year.
Organisations already making the transition are working closely with telecom providers to ensure a smooth migration
Waiting until the network retires completely (with full switch-off planned for January 2027) is simply too late.
By acting now, healthcare providers can prevent service disruptions, enhance efficiency and security, and unlock better experiences for everyone.