OVERVIEW

The pace and scale of the government's plans to transform the way in which the NHS uses information and delivers care over the next five years cannot be achieved without the more innovative and effective utilisation of informatics and technology These elements have been recognised in the consultation document Liberating the NHS: An Information Revolution, which introduces plans for extensive changes in how data is collected, analysed and managed in health and social care settings. To fund this, the government is exploring new models of delivery that involve partnerships with the technology industry, opening up provision to a wide range of organisations.

The potential benefits of the innovative use of informatics and technology have the capacity to change the NHS on a huge scale, transforming patient experience, improving quality of service and outcomes, assisting clinical and professional practice, and delivering value for money.

The much anticipated NHS Information strategy was published in May, detailing clear changes in the existing culture and organisation of NHS information management. The aim of this strategy is to allow patients and service users to be empowered active participants in their care, to foster a culture of openness and transparency, and to use digital technologies to deliver integrated care services.

Although the systems, and processes in place to support information management in the NHS often work well, the sensitive nature of medical data means that failures are quick to make the headlines, and serious. For example, between 2008 and 2011, there were 806 breaches of personal data across the NHS, culminating in 102 staff dismissals. Also, in the wake of several high-profile failures of inter-agency information exchange, implicated in the deaths of vulnerable individuals such as Baby P, there have been increasing calls for changes in how data is shared not only across the NHS, but with related groups such as social services. How do we balance the demands of sharing, transparency and integrated care systems with those of confidentiality and data protection?

At NHS Informatics and Innovative Technologies: delivering a successful information revolution, a panel of expert speakers will discuss how innovations in healthcare information management and technology can be successfully translated from theory into practice to facilitate a range of positive outcomes. Areas covered will include: industry partnership, telehealth and telecare, mobile working, innovation and technology, quality improvements and efficiencies, information governance, patient empowerment and patient feedback.