We have woken up this morning to the historic Labour victory that was predicted.

People have voted for a change. Whatever your politics, you are probably feeling weary and ready for one.

Change can be exciting, energising and invigorating. Yes to that.

But if our expectations are too high and we focus on the wrong things, too much on the end result, we can end up feeling disheartened and disillusioned.

How do we avoid this? Although it’s important to have metrics and pay attention to data, might it be worth focussing wholeheartedly on doing the work we know we need to do?

Could success be measured by our ability to cultivate discipline, overcome pitfalls and master the skills that accompany the goals we have articulated?

Could we focus primarily on making progress towards our goals rather than achieving them[1]? Could this help us stay on track and move away from the current slightly defeatist mood?

Across the healthcare ecosystem, could success be clarity about what the “work” is, then doing the work, getting on with the things we know we need to do?

We know, for example, to help move the NHS into a better place we need to combine the opportunities from digital technology with the talent and dedication of the skilled people we have working in the system.

Members of the Digital Healthcare Council are already doing exactly this – and could do more.

For example:

Three years ago, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust managed hospital bed capacity by using pen and paper, while nurses ran up and down several flights of stairs to check bed availability.

The Trust then introduced TeleTracking’s end-to-end electronic bed and capacity management platform – a specialised operational system which centralises patient flow data, automates workflows, and supports improved bed and capacity management. Combining this technology with the right processes ensures the most efficient and effective access, delivery, and transitions of care for patients

Data from Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, where HBSUK’s Virtual Lucy service was deployed, reveals more than 95% of dermatology cases can be managed from the information and photographs provided by patients. Cases are usually reviewed within 72 hours (typical waiting times are at least three months). Only 50% of patients subsequently need a follow-up with a clinician.

Lilli is a lifestyle monitoring technology. By monitoring trends and patterns of behaviour, its insights can help to identify health decline before conditions become acute, supporting care professionals to tailor care packages effectively.

Transformational outcomes have been seen in Reading, Medway and Nottingham. Lilli can assist social workers in providing reassurance to friends and family that their loved ones are able to remain at home safely.

In the past year, Livi’s AI programs have reduced the time spent on administrative tasks by 40 percent, transcribing up to 18,000 patient appointments weekly. Generative AI simplifies complex, time-consuming administrative and clinical processes, alleviating workplace pressures for clinicians. The current iteration of AI tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) excels in analysing vast volumes of unstructured data, such as clinical notes and medical records, and can efficiently transcribe doctors’ notes, pre-fill referral letters, and perform other administrative tasks.

Earlier this year, the NHS announced the launch of a new website that enables people to order home hepatitis C tests. Developed in partnership with DHC member Preventx, the NHS service will allow tens of thousands of people at increased risk of hepatitis C to order self-testing kits to their home.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, Medical Director at NHS England said that as patient numbers get smaller and each remaining case becomes harder to find and cure, it’s vital the NHs offers easy-to-access self-test kits — especially for those who have been exposed to the virus but may be reluctant to come forward. This latest tool will therefore be critical to ensuring more people can receive the treatment they need, or peace of mind, at the earliest opportunity.

Dr Fox, a CQC registered online pharmacy, provides online medical consultations, issues and dispenses prescriptions. It provides accurate and easily understood information about conditions and treatments. Its doctors are available to discuss treatments before, during, and after consultations. Its pharmacists are available to provide advice and help making an order in-store if preferred.

Members of the DHC are entrepreneurial, agile, and innovative. They are enthusiastic about resolving the challenges facing the NHS. Our members are confident they are a key part of the solution.

We know what we need to do. Now we need to take advantage of this moment of change do it; if we do the right things we will achieve our collective goals.