In the ever-evolving landscape of care, the integration of digital technology stands out as a pivotal strategy to enhance effectiveness and provide support to our community nursing workforce (Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), 2022). Recent guidance (NHS England, 2021a; 2022; Queen's Nursing Institute, 2023) has paved the way for a connected and digitally empowered healthcare system, which community nurses can leverage to significantly improve patient outcomes, aligning with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (NHS England, 2023a).
The NHS App's capabilities for managing general practice health records online represent a foundational shift towards patient-centred care (British Medical Association and NHS England, 2019). The ability to access health records online not only empowers patients, but also enables nurses to provide more coordinated, informed and safe care (Department for Health and Social Care, 2022a; 2022b). By accessing up-to-date patient information, community nurses can make better clinical decisions and provide personalised care plans. Adapting technology can provide significant benefits for managing chronic conditions, supporting people to receive responsive, collaborative care in their home environment. Community nursing is essential in supporting people who are at risk of exclusion to access digital technology such as monitoring (Skills for Health, 2022), to effectively tackle inequalities and disparities in health outcomes (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016; Health Inequalities Improvement Programme, 2023).
NHS England's guidance on ‘What good looks like’ (2021b) for nursing outlines the benchmarks for digital maturity in nursing practices. This guidance emphasises the need for digital tools that support clinical practices, improve safety, and facilitate seamless communication between different healthcare providers. For community nurses, this means using technology not just for record-keeping but as a crucial component in patient engagement and health promotion.
The success of these digital initiatives hinges on many factors, including ensuring that the education and training of nurses in digital competencies are robust. Nurses must be equipped not only with the knowledge of how to use a range of technologies, but also with the skills to integrate these tools into everyday clinical practice effectively. Additionally, there is a need for strong data security measures to protect sensitive patient information and to maintain trust and compliance.
Furthermore, technology should be viewed as an enabler rather than a replacement for human touch. Fast-paced changes in areas such as artificial intelligence can provide an opportunity to consider risks and novel approaches to care and ways of working, while maintaining the essence of nursing (NHS England, 2023a). Digital tools can free up time for community nurses, allowing them to focus more on patient interaction and care. This shift can lead to improved job satisfaction and reduce burnout among community nurses, fostering a healthier work environment.
In conclusion, as we look to the future, the role of digital technology in community nursing is not just inevitable, but essential. It promises a transformation that aligns with the broader goals of the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS England, 2019; 2023b) – improving the quality of care, making health services more accessible, and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems. Community nurses, supported by comprehensive guidelines and tools, are at the forefront of this change, championing a future where digital health solutions enhance their capacity to deliver high quality, digitally-enabled personalised care.