RCN response to plans for a ‘paperless’ NHS

Published: 16 January 2013

 The Royal College of Nursing today (16 January) responded to the Health Secretary’s plans for a ‘paperless NHS’. Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“We welcome the Health Secretary’s commitment to developing technology across health and social care systems. High quality patient care and nursing practice have always relied on the effective management of information. We also know that nurses can use health IT systems for effective communication, outcome monitoring and to further drive improvements in patient care.

“However, it is vital that there is support for organisations to put these measures in place. One of the key problems many nurse face is the burden of providing the same patient information in multiple formats for different audiences or purposes. Equally, there is a need to ensure nurses are provided with the technology. An RCN survey last year revealed that only just over a third (35 per cent) of community nurses have access to a laptop and less than 60 percent have access to a mobile phone.

“We also know that patients may be wary of breaches of patient confidentiality, so it is important that the proposed changes are introduced with care and caution. The RCN is keen to work alongside the Government to ensure that these changes are successful.”

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Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organizations.