Health and social care professionals are uniquely placed to help people take advantage of digital technology, and to reap the health and wellbeing rewards this can bring. A trusted health or social care professional can introduce digital to people, signpost them to places where they can build digital skills and confidence, make referrals to non-clinical community services nearby which can improve wellbeing, and act as digital champions or ambassador themselves. Social prescribing link workers can play a key role in digital health inclusion too.

Digital can also be a useful tool for health and social care professionals in managing their own work needs - through accessing information, record sharing and supporting efficiency. As Health Education England states: “The health and care system is under increasing pressure - we are living longer with health problems that are getting more and more expensive to treat as the investigations and treatments get more advanced. To address this issue we need to innovate and embrace new technologies.”

Health and social care professionals having the confidence to use digital tools - both to support patients or service users, and for themselves - is vital for the future of the NHS and social care. Read our evaluation reports and practical guides to see how you can adapt these approaches in your area.

Read the evaluation report here - Supporting Health and Social Care Staff to Embed Digital in the Workplace (PDF)

5,600

People reached through local communication and engagement

155

Older people received in-depth support with digital inclusion for health

62%

Of people who completed Learn My Way modules feel more informed about their health

Guides

Further resources