Managing the development of a digital inclusion framework for NHS England’s Health Inequalities Improvement team
Objective
Improving digital inclusion of healthcare services is a priority for NHS England in their pursuit to address health inequalities.
Digital technology can enable greater convenience, improved access to information and a more personalised and responsive service. But for those who are unwilling or unable to use digital health tools, there is a risk that digital exclusion prevents them from enjoying these benefits.
NHS England identified a need to develop a practical framework around digital inclusion to support NHS systems and bodies to develop effective digitally inclusive services. This included outlining future plans for NHS action, and resources needed.
We were commissioned to manage the development of a digital inclusion framework by NHS England’s Health Inequalities Improvement (HII) Team in October 2022.
What we did
- We conducted an in-depth academic literature review to understand the national and international evidence base for digital inclusion, and an economic review to consider potential financial savings.
- Using the research, we created a logic model to understand the purpose of the framework and the evidence that already existed. We used this to define the outcomes and develop the initial framework priorities and principles.
- Engagement workshops were held with NHS senior stakeholders and people with lived experience to test the principles of the framework with feedback used to refine the framework’s content.
- We wrote case studies highlighting best practice examples from organisations leading the way in digital inclusion across England. As an example, the “100% Digital Leeds Programme” uses a community-based approach to enable local digital health participation and was created by the Integrated Digital Service at Leeds City Council and Leeds Health and Care Partnership NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Activity
Health improvement and inequalities
Communications and engagement
Outcome
The project delivered a comprehensive research programme and the literature and economic review developed was used to bolster the evidence for action. Following positive feedback from the national team, the intention is to publish the literature review in an academic journal to further promote learnings.
