NHSX has begun to investigate the prospects for increasing the use of robotic process automation (RPA) in the NHS.
It has begun to speak with organisations that already have initiatives underway, and set up an online survey, calling on current and potential users of the technology to contribute to its research.
Dr Maddy Borhani (pictured), partnership manager in the innovation development team at NHSX, said the current landscape of RPA in the NHS and social care is not well understood, and that it wants to deepen its knowledge of what local organisations need.
It also wants to know about any challenges and barriers.
The organisation, which leads on digital policy for England’s health service, is aiming to develop a roadmap for RPA in health and social over the coming months.
It is also working with the NHS AI Lab to understand how RPA could be used with artificial intelligence.
Game changing
“RPA has the potential to be game changing technology as not only could it improve patient care and save money, but also improve productivity and increase staff and patient satisfaction,” Borhani said.
She added: “With the pressure Covid-19 has put on our healthcare system, it is more important than ever to explore new technologies that have the potential to ease operations and free up NHS and social care staff time so they can focus on caring for people. This is where RPA could be of particular help.”
Image from nhs.uk, Open Government Licence v3.0
