However, the potential of digital technology as an enabler of change is also significant – and in many cases unrealised. Greater recognition of this potential and the broader application and use of digital technologies as key enablers in STPs could ensure benefits across a range of areas.
For example:
DIAGNOSIS AND THREE RECOMMENDATIONS
The financial crisis in the NHS should not be allowed to prevent or forestall the much-needed investment of effort and resources into digital technologies with the capacity to deliver more responsive, personalised and cost-effective health services.
With this diagnosis, we offer three central recommendations for a healthy digital strategy.
Firstly, guidelines for managing the digital transformation of health service delivery should be formulated and shared across all Clinical Commissioning Groups and the boards of all 44 STPs in England.
Secondly, a new framework for effective data-sharing and information management for health services – perhaps conducted in partnership with the Information Sharing Centre of Excellence – is now required to adapt to the new technological and commercial realities.
Finally, a taskforce led by digital industry experts should lead a commission to investigate ways of boosting capacity for digital innovation in the NHS and social care arenas.
Serco was awarded a track and trace contract valued up to £400m, apparently without competition.
Actually, there was a competition – kind of. Serco competed for, and won a place on a government “framework” contract. In effect, it is a catalogue – enabling governments to call off goods and services, without the need for further competition. In this case, the contract was for call centre services, and awarded by the Crown Commercial Service.
DragonGate Market Intelligence is proud to release our independent report, Buying the Future, which identifies key challenges facing SMEs working with the public sector, and makes practical recommendations to central governent on how to address these issues.
