Public Supports Tech Enhancements for NHS, Reports Tony Blair Institute

Key Takeaways

62% of NHS dissatisfied respondents believe technology can enhance healthcare services.
Nearly 70% are willing to share anonymised data for improvements in diagnoses and treatment.
Only 35% of respondents have downloaded and used the NHS App, with many unaware of its functions.

Technology and Patient Engagement in the NHS

A report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) reveals a significant opportunity for technology to enhance the performance of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. The independent consultancy Deltapoll conducted a survey, polling 2,002 adults from November 29 to December 2, 2024, focusing on UK voters’ perceptions of the NHS and its future.

Among the 44% of respondents dissatisfied with the NHS, a compelling 62% believe existing technology could address performance issues. The survey indicates that nearly 70% are open to sharing anonymised health data, viewing it as vital for faster diagnostics, drug research, and effective NHS delivery planning. This interest in technological integration comes as NHS England prepares to unveil a 10-year health plan in Spring 2025, which aims to centralise patient records through the NHS App, providing a holistic summary of patients’ health information and test results.

Charlotte Refsum, TBI’s health policy director, emphasized that the NHS App should be regarded as central to a new operational model rather than an optional service. She argues for a comprehensive app capable of supporting patient engagement and facilitating remote monitoring and management of long-term conditions, reducing the need for individual hospitals to develop separate patient engagement platforms.

The TBI survey findings coincide with the government’s recent initiatives to reform elective care, as outlined in a plan published on January 6, 2025. This plan includes updates to the NHS App, enabling patients to select providers, schedule appointments, and receive test results, aiming to minimize elective care waiting times to 18 weeks by March 2029.

Despite the proposed advancements, only 35% of survey participants have downloaded the NHS App to book appointments and access their health records. Alarmingly, 20% downloaded the app but have yet to use it, while 45% either have not downloaded it or are unaware of its existence.

In line with these initiatives, Refsum will participate in the government’s data and technology working group for the 10-year health plan. Additionally, she is scheduled to speak at Digital Health Rewired 2025 in March, where she will discuss the potential of digital care records to foster integrated care and improve overall health services.

Further emphasizing the urgency of digital transformation, TBI’s previous report in August 2024 called for establishing digital care records for all UK citizens within five years, marking a pivotal step toward the NHS embracing modern technology for better patient care and management.

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