The prediction related to the future changes in the NHS and beyond, in the eyes of specialists, sounded promising at best.

1. Nick Black, chief digital information officer at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, believes that the government will finally organize funding to improve the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of the NHS and will be ready to improve patient care eventually. His high hopes revolve around AI and its bigger role in diagnostics, like detecting lung cancer, diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers, and predicting acute respiratory disease events and mortality. However, there are concerns that this will lead to real pressure on digital resource capacity in provider organizations. The NHS is already impacted by staff vacancies (brain drain, medical specialists leaving for Australia, New Zealand, and EU), issues with maintaining service, and trying to deliver it during junior doctors' strikes.

2. Joe Harrison, chief executive at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and national director – of digital channels was pleased with the results after introducing citizens to the NHS App. The end of 2023, as data presented, was successful, showcasing record numbers of citizens accessing the NHS App, opportunities in 2024 to further support the delivery of patient care with innovative technologies are opening up. Harrison showed his enthusiasm regarding The NHS App. He stated that this app has grown even more, developed new ways to enable people to stay healthy as well as supporting patients who are ill to manage their care. 

3. Dr. Penny Kechagioglou, consultant clinical oncologist, chief clinical information officer, and deputy chief medical officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, was more critical of the present-day crisis. She pointed out that many seniors are facing technological difficulties, so digitized access to medical records, booking appointments, or renewing prescriptions has become more than a problem. She was drawing attention to people still struggling with the concept of digital assistance when many specialists, also with a medical background, encouraged the complete switch to a more remote system. Dr. Kechagioglou, again, directs attention to the workforce, doctors and nurses, to fair pay and observes that digital assistance and apps will not provide the same care as professional staff.

Written by Joanna