Analysis: Time Saving Technologies
Which Technologies Offer the Biggest Opportunities to Save Time in the NHS?
Introduction
The NHS is facing unprecedented demand pressures and workforce shortages. Technology offers a significant opportunity to strengthen capacity and improve productivity, as highlighted in the 2024 Spring Budget and the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Drawing on new research from the Health Foundation, including a UK-wide clinical staff survey and expert interviews, this article analyses which technologies clinicians believe can save time and outlines the steps required to realise these benefits.
Key Insights: Immediate Time-Saving Technologies
The survey found that Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and professional-to-professional communication tools, such as videoconferencing and secure digital messaging, rank highest for saving staff time today. This contrasts with the common policy focus on cutting-edge, patient-facing technologies.
Why this matters: Maximising time savings requires prioritising tools that streamline administrative and operational tasks alongside clinical workflows.
Optimising Existing Technologies Before Adopting New Ones
Many immediate gains will come from improving and scaling existing technologies rather than rushing to adopt new ones. EHRs, for example, are already widely deployed across NHS trusts, yet their full potential remains untapped.
Action: Develop strategies to enhance interoperability, usability and staff training to unlock further efficiencies.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Clinicians are cautiously optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence to save time within the next five years. Two areas stand out:
Clinical documentation tools, such as voice recognition for notes.
Software for image and test result analysis.
Interviewees also highlighted AI’s promise in data analysis, risk prediction and population health management.
Caution: To seize these opportunities, the NHS must move beyond AI hype and invest in rigorous, real-world testing and evaluation.
Barriers to Effective Technology Use
Technology alone does not guarantee productivity gains. The biggest obstacles include:
Weak IT infrastructure and poor connectivity.
Lack of funding for implementation.
Insufficient technical support and training.
Action: Address these systemic barriers to ensure technologies deliver their intended benefits.
Aligning Technology Development with Workforce Needs
Too often, technology adoption is driven by suppliers and procurement processes rather than frontline needs. Success depends on greater staff involvement in demand signalling and co-design, fostering collaboration between policymakers, industry, providers and clinicians.
Strategic Takeaways
Short term: Optimise EHRs and communication tools for interoperability and ease of use.
Medium term: Invest in AI for documentation and diagnostics, supported by strong evaluation frameworks.
Long term: Build robust digital infrastructure and workforce capability to sustain innovation.
Conclusion
Technology offers a powerful lever to free up time and improve care delivery in the NHS, but only if implemented thoughtfully. The path forward requires strategic investment, rigorous evaluation and collaboration across the health ecosystem to ensure digital tools meet the real needs of clinicians and patients.
Source: Health Foundation Briefing
