NHSX has revealed plans to launch a new NHS Cervical Screening Management System in October.
Its chief clinical information officer Dr Simon Eccles outlined the plan as the next step in the digital transformation of screening, saying the system will have a new interface (pictured to the right of the old one) and an improved look and feel to make it easier to use.
It will be linked to the NHS Personal Demographics Service in providing a single source of national patient information, which is expected to reduce potential delays in screening participants and providing the relevant correspondence.
“We’re now prioritising multi-channel engagement so participants will be able to find out about, make informed screening decisions, and track their results through a range of mechanisms - web, app, email and letter - according to their preferences,” Eccles said.
“We're seeking to develop and share screening system capabilities with other preventative health programmes. And we're focusing first on supporting NHS restoration and addressing screening backlogs.”
Wider ambition
He said there is an ambition to transform the IT system behind every screening service, with the next step scheduled for next year with breast screening.
NHSX has held supplier events jointly with IT industry association techUK and completed a deep dive discovery into national capabilities and value for money.
Eccles said that by the end of the year it should have completed a market engagement exercise and be able to share plans on its preferred architectural approach for use across screening pathways.
Image from nhs.uk, Open Government Licence v3.0
