In the Spring Budget, the government announced that there would be a £3.4 billion injection into NHS digitisation - effectively doubling the national investment in order to “modernise NHS IT systems so they are as good as the best in the world”.
Whilst a laudable aim, the announcement has been met with cautious optimism by NHS leaders: we all know that implementing new technology within the NHS can be ‘challenging’ (to say the least) and that, moreover, turning a technology investment into realisable benefits can be even more so.
Therefore, now more than ever, the NHS must ensure that trusts invest in solutions that ensure tangible results.
In the Spring Budget, the government announced that there would be a £3.4 billion injection into NHS digitisation
What is "benefit realisation"?
Benefit realisation ensures that technology investments yield concrete and measurable results aligned with organisational objectives.
For the NHS, this entails optimising the value derived from such investments, leading to advancements in patient care, operational efficiency, and, ultimately, the delivery of superior healthcare outcomes.
Identifying key priorities
The NHS should consider two key factors when assessing any tech investment for benefit realisation. The first is agility in implementation.
This means that trusts must focus on their current ability - and that of their technology partner - to seamlessly integrate proposed solutions with existing systems, such as EPR or clinical systems, and ensure that these new technologies can be deployed in a way that enhances existing workflows rather than imposing unnecessary and potentially detrimental change.
Only by scoping these systems out, understanding what the challenges (both technical and cultural) might be before they start implementing and then proactively addressing implementation challenges, can trusts effectively harness the full potential of their technology investments to drive positive change in healthcare delivery.
The NHS should consider two key factors when assessing any tech investment for benefit realisation
The second factor to consider is that benefits may be either cash-releasing and non-cash-releasing and a combination of the two is required to effect systematic positive change.
Cash-releasing benefits refer to the financial gains or cost savings realised from implementing a particular technology or solution. In the context of the NHS, cash-releasing benefits play a crucial role in addressing financial constraints and improving overall operational efficiency.
These benefits can include reductions in operational costs, such as savings in staff time, decreased administrative expenses, or more efficient resource utilisation. For example, by streamlining administrative processes through digital solutions, the NHS can reduce paperwork, minimise errors, and optimise staff productivity, ultimately leading to cost savings.
Benefit realisation, as part of any technology investment and the broader digitisation agenda, is also not a singular exercise or, indeed, a box that can be ticked and then set aside
On the other hand, non-cash-releasing benefits encompass the advantages gained from implementing a technology or solution that does not directly impact financial savings or gains.
Yet benefits may include improved patient care quality, enhanced patient satisfaction, increased staff productivity, better clinical outcomes, reduced errors, enhanced data security, and compliance with regulatory standards – clearly, the modern NHS landscape requires these angles, in addition to financial stewardship, in order to serve the healthcare needs of the public.
Conclusion
Benefit realisation, as part of any technology investment and the broader digitisation agenda, is also not a singular exercise or, indeed, a box that can be ticked and then set aside. Digitisation is an ongoing journey, as are the benefits to be realised as a consequence of each step along the way.
While the initial stages may produce significant tangible benefits (both financial and otherwise), it's important to focus on ongoing strategic implementation, evaluation, and evolution to ensure that benefits can not only be sustained, but also enhanced, beyond the initial implementation.
