The Chancellor's £3.4 Billion investment in NHS digitisation sparks efficiency revolution
How Managed Print and Hybrid Mail can drive savings and streamline workflows for the new NHS digitisation plan.
In March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a £3.4 billion investment into NHS digitisation in the Spring budget. Outdated IT and technology stand as key barriers affecting NHS productivity and incur significant costs. So, how can digitisation help?
Digitisation is primarily focused on increasing efficiencies and thereby saving costs. Between April 2022 and March 2023, over twenty-eight million patients did not attend their appointments*, with 6.4% of this number classified as DNAs (did not attend), costing the NHS millions annually.
BSG has collaborated with a number of NHS Trusts to digitise processes, with hybrid mail and managed print services (MPS) emerging as two key areas delivering substantial savings across the board.
Tony Perkins, Head of Professional Services @BSG commented:
“As Head of Professional Services, I commend the government's significant investment into digitising the NHS, recognising the potential it holds for our healthcare system. With MPS and Hybrid Mail solutions at the forefront, we are poised to revolutionise how healthcare professionals’ access and manage critical information. By streamlining paper-based processes, digitising patient records, and reducing waste with uncollected prints, these technologies will empower our NHS workforce to deliver more efficient and patient-centred care. This investment marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward a digitally-enabled healthcare ecosystem, driving innovation, cost savings, and ultimately, better outcomes for all.”
Here are just a few ways MPS and Hybrid Print can enhance efficiencies and generate savings:
Digitising Paper Processes
MPS enables the NHS to streamline paper-based processes by digitising documents and automating workflows. Healthcare professionals can now access patient records, medical reports, and administrative documents more efficiently, leading to improved productivity and reduced reliance on physical paper.
Centralised Document Management
MPS provides centralised management of printing, scanning, and document storage, allowing the NHS to consolidate its document infrastructure and simplify management. With centralised document repositories and access controls such as 'Secure Release' and 'Follow Me', healthcare providers can securely store and retrieve patient information flexibly by releasing print jobs on any device, reducing the risk of data loss or unauthorised access. Additionally, there is the ability to delete any unwanted or uncollected print jobs to avoid waste.
Cost Reduction
MPS helps the NHS optimise printing resources, reduce waste, and lower printing costs. By implementing print policies such as duplex printing and colour restrictions (e.g. defaulting to mono), or simply removing older devices, MPS minimises unnecessary printing, reduces consumable usage, and saves on energy consumption, resulting in significant cost savings over time.
Efficient Print Fleet Management
MPS solutions include proactive monitoring and management of the NHS's print fleet, ensuring optimal performance and uptime. By monitoring usage patterns, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing maintenance schedules, MPS providers can optimise print fleet utilisation and minimise downtime, leading to cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
Hybrid Mail for Digital Communications
Hybrid Mail solutions enable the NHS to transition from traditional mail to digital communication methods for outbound correspondence. By electronically processing and delivering letters, statements, and notifications, Hybrid Mail reduces postage costs, printing expenses, and administrative overhead associated with manual mail handling.
Improved Workflow Automation
MPS and Hybrid Mail solutions facilitate workflow automation and integration with electronic health record (EHR) systems, enabling seamless information exchange and collaboration among healthcare providers. Automated document routing, approval workflows, and electronic signatures streamline administrative processes and enhance productivity across the NHS.
Explore our work with the NHS below with these two case studies...
Case Study - Managed Print
Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Case Study - Hybrid Mail
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
To find out more about how we can help, speak to one of our NHS specialists or take a look at our Managed Print and Hybrid Mail solutions
*Source NHS England Hospital Outpatient Activity 2022-23
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