Monday 25th November, 2013

Research commissioned by Perceptive Software and conducted by market researchers Vanson Bourne, shows disparity between NHS trust heads and other key staff on the timetable for the paperless NHS initiative. Over half (54%) of heads of trusts believe being completely paperless by 2018 is a realistic goal compared to less than a fifth of IT decision makers and healthcare professionals.

The research states that the majority (82%) of heads of trust are expecting additional funding from the Government to become paperless with over half (60%) expecting them to foot the entire bill.

A significant proportion of people surveyed expect the NHS to be “paper light” by 2018 and those who don’t see 2018 as a realistic goal for going paperless, suggest 2021 is, on average, a more genuine deadline. Out of those who haven’t already digitised 100% of patient data, over half (58%) think the process will take a further two to five years to roll out.

The current caution about the timetable among NHS IT decision-makers and healthcare professionals is at odds with the goal of NHS going paperless by 2018, as expressed by the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

There are mixed opinions within NHS institutions about at what stage the UK’s NHS paperless initiative is today. NHS heads of trust reckon an average of over half (58%) of patients have digitalised records, while clinical staff think it’s almost two thirds (65%). By contrast, NHS IT staff, who should have the best view on the issue, believe it is less than half (41%). 

Mark O’Herlihy, Healthcare Director EMEA, at Perceptive Software commented, "It’s very positive to see the initiative is being welcomed with open arms with over 9 in 10 NHS workers aware of it and the majority (71%) indicating their clear support. Too often in the past, NHS IT initiatives have split workers on their benefits so this bodes well for success as we progress past paperlight and paperless milestones."

The research was conducted by interviewing 200 NHS workers including heads of trusts, IT decision-makers and healthcare professionals between August and October 2013.

Almost all NHS workers see benefits in going paperless, with an average of six benefits being selected. Notably, half of all healthcare workers believe going paperless will have a positive impact on their department and two thirds think it will improve patient care.