The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) has launched an inquiry into digital inclusion in the healthcare sector amid government announcements to allocate billions to digital transformation.
With the NHS undergoing digital transformation under the current administration’s new ten-year plan, the inquiry seeks to understand how this shift is impacting patients and clinicians, particularly those most at risk.
The DPA’s research will focus on digitally excluded groups – notably older adults, rural communities and people for whom English is a second language – with the view to ensuring the move from analogue to digital does not widen existing health disparities.
Findings from this inquiry will inform recommendations for “a more inclusive digital healthcare future”.
Professor Farah Bhatti, OBE, who will chair the inquiry, stressed the imbalance evident in digital care. “Throughout my career I have seen the impact that inequality has on patients,” she said. “The pace of technological change must balance efficiency and convenience with ensuring that some of the most vulnerable in society are supported – and not left behind.”
She added: “New systems and digitisation must also be accompanied with training and support for staff in every part of the NHS – including how they can support patients to engage with online NHS services.
“I am looking forward to hearing from patients, healthcare professionals and a wide variety of stakeholders as we look towards creating actionable recommendations for government.”
This news comes as use of the NHS website doubled in 2024, from 12.9 million visits to 26.5 million.
Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: “Digital transformation has the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery, but only if it is inclusive.
“With 43% of working-age adults in the UK struggling to understand health information, and that number rising to 61% when numeracy is factored in, we cannot afford to overlook the connection between digital exclusion and health inequality.”
Anderson concluded: “This inquiry is about identifying who risks being left behind and why so that we can help build a system that truly delivers digital health equity for all.”
Running over the coming months, the inquiry will include both quantitative research and lived-experience testimony from patients, clinicians, and frontline healthcare providers across the UK.
The DPA is a charity that works to bring together initiatives and research aimed at understanding and eliminating digital poverty – defined as a lack of access to affordable digital devices and internet connectivity.
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