Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps he is taking to further enhance the digital transition in the health service to improve patient experience.
Minister of Health: My Department continues to support the digital transformation of Health and Social Care services through the implementation of the HSC Digital Strategy and a range of major digital programmes designed to improve patient experience, safety and access to services. The HSC Digital Strategy sets out a vision for a digitally enabled, person centred health and social care system, providing patients and service users with greater visibility and control over their treatment and care journeys.
Key areas of focus include the continued optimisation of the encompass programme, expansion of digital services that support patients to access information and services more easily, investment in workforce training and change management to support adoption of new digital ways of working, and the development of data and digital capabilities that enable more joined up and efficient care. The Department is also supporting innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies where these can improve outcomes and experiences for patients and service users.
These digital initiatives support my wider ambition to reform Health and Social Care services by improving access, supporting more joined up care, and enabling services to be delivered in ways that are more convenient for patients and service users.
ENDS
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