Implementing electronic records in NHS secondary care organizations in England: policy and progress since 1998

Abstract

Background: A number of different policies have aimed to introduce electronic records into National Health Service (NHS) secondary care organizations in England over recent years. There has been little formal attempt to explore the overall impact of these policies (as opposed to evaluations of individual initiatives) and how they have developed and progressed over time.

Sources of data: National NHS IT policy documents and evaluations of national NHS IT policy between 1998 and 2015.

Areas of agreement: There has been limited progress in implementing integrated electronic records in secondary organizations since 1998.

Areas of controversy: The management and execution of NHS IT policy has been poor, with over ambitious aims contributing to the limited success.

Growing points: Detailed guidance on how to implement electronic records in secondary care organizations is required. The ambitions of current policy should be revisited.

Areas timely for developing further research: Research exploring the costs and benefits of different approaches to introducing electronic records is needed.

Keywords: England; IT; NHS; electronic records; policy; secondary care.