The Department of Health and Social Care has today announced a new £40 million investment to transform login times.
In the announcement the Government highlighted that some NHS staff need to login to as many as 15 different systems, using separate login details.
Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSX said “If you work in the NHS, the tech should not be getting in the way of your ability to do your job.”
“Tech should be something you rarely think about because it just works. Today’s announcements mean we can start to tackle one of the biggest gripes staff have with their tech. It will allow staff across the NHS to spend more time with their patients and less time fighting their computers.”
The investment will support projects similar to that seen at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, which implemented single sign-on technology and reduced time spent logging into multiple computer systems from 1 minute 45 seconds to just 10 seconds.
The ‘logins project’ will focus on working with IT suppliers to standardise logins and provide multi-factor logins, like finger print access, rather than password-led logins.
It aims to ensure trusts update their processes to give staff appropriate access permissions for the systems they need to treat patients and integrate local and national systems so staff can access the full range of clinical and workforce systems to support their needs.
A further £4.5 million investment will be given to local authorities to develop digital adult social care projects and improve information sharing across the NHS and social care.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said “I want to harness the best digital technology to improve care for patients and ease the burden on our staff. And to do that, we need to get the basics right. Too often, outdated technology slows down and frustrates staff, and prevents them from giving patients their full attention and the care they deserve.”
“It is frankly ridiculous how much time our doctors and nurses waste logging on to multiple systems. As I visit hospitals and GP practices around the country, I’ve lost count of the amount of times staff complain about this. It’s no good in the 21st century having 20th century technology at work. This investment is committed to driving forward the most basic frontline technology upgrades, so treatment can be delivered more effectively and we can keep pace with the growing demand on the NHS.”
