NHS leadership to develop digital pathways that increase inclusion

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is working on developing digitally enabled care pathways that increase inclusion as part of the next phase of the NHS COVID-19 recovery plan. They have to identify agreed actions to ensure all patients receive the same level of access and care regardless of their digital preferences by March 2021. According to the new guidance issued by the NHS on the health service’s response to the pandemic, leaders have to review who is using the new 111 helpline, as well as primary, outpatient, and mental health digital care pathways in a bid to improve inclusivity. The guidance further revealed that the NHS has experienced an ‘unprecedented’ uptake of digital services during the pandemic which has provided an opportunity to create a more inclusive, flexible, and accessible system.