Why A New Culture Of Innovation Needs To Be At The Heart Of The 'Digital' NHS

The evolving landscape of digital technologies in healthcare necessitates a culture of innovation at the core of the NHS, as highlighted by Dr Pritesh Mistry from the King's Fund. The rapid pace of digital evolution, characterized by the surging investment in digital health startups post-pandemic, challenges the healthcare sector. It demands a shift in leadership culture, emphasizing openness to explore novel tools and processes. Crucially, it urges the establishment of innovative cultures supporting learning from failures, fostering experimentation, and encouraging rapid testing and validation. While certain areas exhibit promising approaches, broader transformation requires a shift from task-based roles to embracing agile methodologies and user-centric design. Efforts like the Wade-Gery review are pivotal, yet the integration of NHS Digital, NHSX, and NHS England mandates a focused cultural change to truly drive successful digital transformation within the NHS.