Why NHS Productivity Is Falling Short—and What It Takes to Turn It Around

Image created by Rudy Chidiac. © Open Medical 2024. All Rights Reserved

The recent Darzi report laid bare the challenges facing the NHS, with one issue standing out—productivity, or more accurately, its decline.

Despite increased resources, including more staff, appointments and procedures aren’t increasing at the same pace. In other words, productivity hasn’t improved. This isn’t a new concern; the need for productivity improvements has been a topic of discussion for some time. The Darzi report identifies poor patient flow as a key culprit; patients are not moving efficiently through their care pathways, leading to delays and excessive wait times.

This issue can be traced back to the overwhelming amount of time spent navigating outdated and cumbersome processes.

Clinicians are often slowed down by logistical challenges like finding beds and dealing with slow, legacy technology. Tasks that should be simple are bogged down by long load times and the need to log into multiple systems. Frustration has grown to the point where some have even suggested a return to paper records, believing it might actually be faster.

This speaks volumes about the core issue: current technology has digitised inefficient processes rather than transforming them. And reverting to paper isn't a realistic option for today’s healthcare demands. To truly address the problem of lagging productivity and poor patient flow, there needs to be a deeper look into why these process problems exist in the first place.

Healthcare has evolved dramatically. Patient volumes have grown, the complexity of care has increased, yet the NHS continues to rely on care models that no longer meet the current demand.

You can’t meet today’s healthcare needs with yesterday’s workflows.

Traditional care pathways were designed for a different era, when patient numbers were lower and their needs less complex. What was once efficient and effective is now unsustainable. The strain on the system is clear, and new workflows, and therefore new models of care, are essential to manage increasing demands on resources and ensure patients receive timely and effective care without overwhelming the system. The NHS is expected to do more with less, and while that may seem impossible, there are proven innovations that make it achievable.

The solution lies in embracing new models of care, with technology as a key part of the transformation. Technology can establish care models that not only address today’s demands but also support future adaptations. It enables healthcare organisations to do more with less—not by overburdening care providers, but by empowering them to focus their talents where they are needed most: on patient care.

This isn’t just a theory or a “maybe it could work” idea—it’s already making a real difference in many NHS trusts. A great example is Pathpoint eDerma, which is currently being used by 10 healthcare organisations every day to manage their suspected skin cancer pathways. These organisations represent multiple NHS Trusts through ICS-level implementations or across multiple private care provider sites.

The benefits have been tangible for these trusts. For example, one ICS was struggling with patient flow in their suspected skin cancer pathways, overwhelmed by high patient volumes and unnecessary referrals to secondary care. Their specialist dermatology service was stretched beyond capacity, leading to delays in both diagnosis and treatment. So they adopted eDerma and introduced a new model of care to streamline the entire pathway. 

Now, patients can visit their GP, have a dermoscopic image taken in primary care, complete a digital questionnaire, and have it reviewed by a consultant dermatologist via eDerma—without needing to visit secondary care. Dermatologists can access structured referrals that include the GP’s findings (achieved through e-RS integration), a patient questionnaire that complements it, and skin lesion images. They can make safe, informed, and quick decisions on patients’ care, ensuring that only those requiring specialist attention are referred, while others receive appropriate treatment in community settings. The eDerma-enabled pathway eases pressure on secondary care, improving patient flow and providing a care model that meets today’s demands while maintaining high quality of care. 

This is just one example of how the right technology can reshape care models and provide intelligent clinical workflows that free clinicians from the burden of outdated processes. It improves patient flow, boosts productivity, and ultimately enhances patient care.

The solutions to many of the NHS’s challenges already exist. We just need to recognise them, invest in them, and encourage their adoption. Embracing new models of care, with technology at the centre, will build a strong, adaptable foundation for the future of the NHS.