mHabitat

Millions of people are digitally and socially excluded in the UK. Evidence suggests these people are more likely to need health and care services. This is the flaw in the multi-billion pound digital transformation plan. There is good news though. The Phase 3 NHS response to Covid19 letter sent from NHS England/Improvement to all NHS Leaders on 31 J... uly 2020 specifically highlights the need to ensure that digitally enabled care pathways increase inclusion and there has been an increasing interest in tackling the triple whammy challenge of health inequalities, digital exclusion and Covid-19. We know this is a difficult and complex issue which cannot be solved with one magic silver bullet. There are inter-related factors such as life context, digital skills and confidence, access to devices and data and system related issues such as accessibility of digitally enabled tools and services, and the capability of staff to use and promote digital. We have been working with a range of partners to co-design inclusion into digital transformation. We are early in the journey and whilst we have a clear goal of everyone benefiting from digital enabled health and care, we cannot foresee all the twists and turns along the way. Ultimately Inclusive Digital Transformation means the NHS, local government, voluntary sector, industry, academia and citizens and communities purposefully working together to co-design digitally enabled health and care that works for everyone. mHabitat is working across the health and care system with many different partners including people who are more digitally excluded to shine a spotlight on good practice, understand needs and priorities and co-design enhancements which help to build equity and inclusion into digitally enabled services, pathways and strategies. Partners include: NHSX, NHSE, AHSNs, ICSs/STPs, Voluntary Sector, Industry, Academia and Local Government. We are working with NHSE/I and the Academic Health Science Networks in the two regions to build capacity and understanding of ...Read More