Harry Evans, researcher at The King’s Fund, commented on the Topol review into technology and the health care workforce
'Technology underpins some of the most ambitious targets in the NHS long-term plan so it is vital that staff are able to use digital tools and understand the data they generate. The Topol review makes a number of welcome recommendations to create a digitally-savvy workforce with the knowledge and flexibility to embrace emerging technologies.
'At a time when staff have never been more stretched, technology has an important role to play in making life easier for over-burdened nurses, doctors and other staff, freeing them up to focus on supporting patients. As well as training staff to use technology, new systems should be designed to reduce the daily pressures facing NHS workers.'
Our new explainer sets out the main commitments in the NHS long-term plan, with our view of what they might mean, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for the system as it moves to put the plan into practice.