The use of innovative technology – including software to process repeat prescriptions and digital health records – is helping the NHS in the East of England improve productivity, cut waiting times for patients and support clinicians to deliver life-saving services.

Latest statistics published by NHS England show that the waiting list for NHS treatment in the East of England fell in December last year by more than 2,600 on the previous month (down to a total of around 923,000). The percentage of people waiting within 18 weeks for treatment in the East of England was at 57.5% – an improvement of almost 3% from the same time in 2024 (54.8%).

This progress comes thanks to the rollout of smart technology in the NHS and the Elective Reform Plan, which has led to an expansion of community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, creating more evening and weekend clinics and sending patients ‘straight to test’ rather than multiple clinic visits.

NHS staff have continued to see patients in the East of England quicker – with last month 72.5% of patients being seen within the 4-hour A&E target; an increase of almost 10,700 from 71.1% a year before. This is despite another busy month for the region’s health services, with more than 237,000 attendances at A&E departments in January – an increase of 4.7% compared to January the previous year from around 226,500.

One way the NHS in the East of England is boosting productivity, saving money and helping to see patients more quickly is through the use of intelligent software, which is now live at 50 GP practices in Norfolk and Waveney.

Known as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), the technology uses software ‘robots’ to handle high-volume, repetitive tasks. This frees up practice staff to focus on what only they can do – provide clinical expertise and professional judgement.

Since January 2024, the rollout of a single automation, ‘AutoScript’, has processed over 1.1 million repeat medication requests. That represents the equivalent of 7.75 full-time staff per annum, creating much needed capacity in the system.

Anne Heath, Associate Director of Digital for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, said: “We are incredibly proud of the strides we have made, working with general practice, to harness innovative technology to boost productivity and help deliver better care for patients. By streamlining administrative tasks and freeing up valuable time for clinicians, our GP practices can focus even more on providing high-quality, timely support to patients across Norfolk and Waveney.”

Outside of primary care, the use of shared care records by staff in emergency services is supporting clinicians to deliver life-saving services on the frontline.

Shared care records are digital systems bringing together key patient information from local health and social care organisations to help professionals make faster, safer decisions. They include information like personal network contacts, medications, allergies, known medical conditions, hospital discharge information and support from adult social care.

Last year, Lu Harrington, a senior clinical paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, responded to a 999 call from a concerned person after noticing that their neighbour hadn’t been seen for several days and their curtains remained closed. Using the shared care record, Lu was able to locate contact details for the patient’s next of kin. They contacted a local key holder for the patient who then took urgent steps leading to life-saving support from the ambulance service.

Nicky Murphy, Regional Director of Digital Transformation for NHS England – East of England, said: “The 10 Year Health Plan for England rightly commits to transforming the NHS from an analogue to a digital health service over the next decade.

“In the East of England – from smart software to process prescriptions to digital health records supporting clinicians to deliver life-saving services – the use of modern technology is already improving the efficiency of our NHS, cutting waiting times and helping staff spend more time treating patients.”