Could Automation Help Your NHS Trust Tackle Surges in Demand?

Reference

How Automation Integrates with the Long-Term NHS Strategy

Over the past two years, the NHS has experienced unprecedented demand due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, almost every department in the NHS has encountered additional strain, impacting essential activities—from planning operations, providing emergency care, administering vaccination programmes, and managing patient data.

Healthcare professionals and support staff have worked tirelessly to keep pace with the rapid surge in demand for NHS services—working overtime, taking on additional duties and, in some instances, returning from retirement. While these approaches will play a huge role in helping the organisation tackle the short- and medium-term challenges of the pandemic, they are unlikely to offer long-term sustainability.

Cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered automation hold the potential to dramatically improve efficiency across the NHS. Recognising this, the UK government has earmarked additional funds for the NHS to embrace automation, in an effort to overcome backlogs and to help reduce waiting times for vital healthcare services.