Outdated and obstructive NHS IT systems will become a thing of the past, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has said as he launches his technology vision in The Future of Healthcare.

This vision transforms NHS technology to allow appropriate access to real-time data. This will underpin the digital services and data innovations needed.

The vision outlines plans to introduce minimum technical standards that digital services and IT systems in the NHS will have to meet. Having these open standards in place means systems will be able to talk to each other securely and ensure they are upgradable.

Any system that fails to meet these standards will be phased out. The government will look to end contracts with providers who do not understand these principles for the health and care sector.

Outside those standards, all trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) will have freedom to buy what they need. This should encourage competition on user experience and better tools for everyone.

The changes will secure a brighter future for the health and social care system and are central to unlocking the potential of innovative technologies to support care.

The government wants to hear from staff, technology experts and suppliers to make sure the standards are the best choices for our users and can help improve outcomes in every area of the health and care system.

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