Amongst the pressures of delivering digital transformation at scale, clinical teams need more support and investment to ensure IT systems are safe to use and fit-for-purpose, says Stephen Seagreen-Bell, managing director of Transforming Healthcare Consultancy.
The moment I resigned from my NHS contract role over concerns of patient safety and undermining clinical standards is one I will never forget. Because, as many of your clinical colleagues will tell you, working in the NHS is something special, and there is no better job than helping patients get well.
Our team was facing incredible pressure to get a clinical IT system live, but I strongly objected, as it had not gone through the appropriate validation process to ensure it was safe in a live environment. Nor did it have the support of the clinical leaders involved.
My fear is that this type of scenario is becoming more commonplace within the NHS. Having worked closely with NHS clinical teams to manage transformation for over 30 years, I have lost count how many times a doctor, nurse or AHP has raised concerns about an IT system not meeting their needs, or potential safety risks which have not been fully addressed.
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