Survey aims to gauge digital inclusion in health and social care

NHSX is urging those involved in delivering health and social care to take part in its survey on digital inclusion. The deadline is November 11.

The research was commissioned following the Phase 3 NHS response to COVID-19 letter sent out on July 31.

The letter highlighted the need to ensure that digitally enabled care pathways promoted inclusion. The researchers are calling this “inclusive digital transformation.’

The study is being carried out by mHabitat, a digital inclusion and innovation team hosted by the NHS.

It aims to find out more about digital inclusion in health and care at both national and local level. 

9m struggle to use digital tech

According to the Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index 2020, an estimated 9million people struggle to use digital technology in the UK. And the people most likely to be digitally excluded are those most likely to need health and care services. 

NHSX wants to encourage providers to “co-design inclusion into digital transformation at a strategic and delivery level to ensure that everyone benefits from digitally enabled health and care.”

Spotlight on good practice

The researchers from mHabitat say they hope to “shine a spotlight on good practice in digital access/health outcomes.”

The survey is in two parts. The Inclusive Digital Transformation Locality Survey aims to find out what digital inclusion activities are being delivered at a local level. 

The Inclusive Digital Transformation ICS and STP Survey seeks to explore an Integrated Care System (ICS) and Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) approach to inclusive digital transformation so far. 

The surveys close on November 11.