A survey by NHS Providers has revealed that NHS trusts are being hampered in their digital transformation by budgets, day-to-day pressures and poor IT infrastructure.
In response, leaders are calling for a step-change in support to the digital revolution including long-term, sustainable, strategic investment so they can make the most of new technology.
'Digital transformation survey 2024: challenges, opportunities and priorities for trust leaders' found progress had been made implementing advanced technologies, including electronic patient records, better cyber security and enhancing staff skills.
However, leaders are warning that their efforts to unlock the potential of digital to boost productivity and to improve patient safety and the experiences of staff and service users are facing several barriers.
73 per cent of those surveyed said that funding and financial constraints were a barrier and 50 per cent said operational pressures were affecting clinical engagement, training and technology take-up.
35 per cent of leaders also identified poor wi-fi, computers and other infrastructure problems as a barrier to progress.
The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said: "Far too often, outdated NHS technology adds to clinicians’ workloads instead of giving them more time for patients and hinders, rather than improves efficiency and productivity.
"Digital transformation has huge potential to give patients better access to their data, better access to care and to ensure that staff can get the reliable information they need to inform decision-making and improve quality of care.
"The NHS is under huge strain and chronic underinvestment in digital technology, particularly in community, mental health and social care systems, has left a worrying legacy. We need the government to work with trusts and NHS leaders to remove barriers and to help the health service transform healthcare.
"Trust leaders are committed to making big digital and data advances and NHS Providers is supporting them to do just that through our newly relaunched Digital Boards programme."
