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Today @thekingsfund publish a report on technology and the NHS estate. Sounds dull, right? But let me explain why I think it's one of the most interesting reports in my time kingsfund.org.uk/publications/t…
Okay so (wish me luck). The background to this report is that estate and tech are usually considered key enablers and they are usually lumped into the same funding pots, but rarely are the implications of one on the other considered.
Tech and the estate exist in their own silos. Separate parts of NHS organisations, separate skills, expertise, separate strategies (if they have a strategy at all!)
And yet. Digital transformation in EVERY other industry has been about moving physical interactions into the digital space. EVERY other industry. Think about the death of the high street, online banking etc.
(These examples also show some of the pitfalls for the NHS. Not adequately focusing on the importance of physical space for local communities. Not building skills among the digitally excluded.)
But there are some interesting examples where technology is starting to change what the estate looks like. EPRs are reducing the need for physical storage space of paper. Digital bleeps are making the estate quieter for staff and patients...
...people self-checking in to outpatients using a kiosk (or better, their phones!) reduces the need for large reception spaces. Data on how the estate is used means things like MRI scanners can be better managed.
Currently the estate looks like a patchwork quilt for technological transformation. But if scaled up, we paint a picture of an estate that could be smarter and more integrated, staff and patient friendly.
Crucially - I'm most excited for the opportunities for working more flexibly, either in efficient office space or at home, that technology and a different estate can bring.
However, the common assumption that tech will make the estate smaller is questionable. It may reduce the acceleration of the size of the estate. But NHS orgs would be best considering how any 'freed-up' space is prepared for new uses.
We heard of some great examples where space that had been freed-up by tech was being kept, but re-purposed for community uses. This can deliver benefits back to the community and overcome fears about the loss of bricks and mortar
We'll see this technologically transformed estate developing over the next few years. But to really take advantage of it, strategies need to be brought together, with a common vision for how tech will impact the estate, and how the estate will adapt.
This applies to funding as well. IT projects depend on capital, like estates, but in today's world they also need revenue investment. Some mix of the two is desirable for seeing sustainable change.
Finally - for this stuff to work we need to engage people now about how services are likely to change. We risk upsetting and excluding people if we shift to digital without a clear plan for the physical. Let's not link digital with closing buildings for the public!
So how did I do? More interesting than you thought? Read the report here. We've also produced an audio summary (with my beautiful voice) for those of you who like listening instead of reading kingsfund.org.uk/publications/t…
P.S. Follow co-conspirator @lillie_wenzel for this topic. Also, very proud on this report to get the title 'Clicks and Mortar' past our editors.
