This briefing outlines why the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) believes that fully digital patient records will bring benefits to the NHS, including direct benefits to patient care. However, unless the recording of information is of sufficient quality it will not benefit patient care.
The briefing was produced ahead of the Westminster Hall debate by MPs on the use of digital records in the NHS on 28 April 2016.
Summary
- Fully digital patient records have the potential to improve the quality of patient care, improve NHS quality improvement and research activities, and lead to potential cost savings.
- The public must be provided with more information to ensure that the benefits of patient data can be balanced with individual confidentiality.
- The recording of patient information must be of sufficient quality.
Contact
For more information please contact Methela Haque, RCP public affairs adviser, via methela.haque@rcplondon.ac.uk.