As reported by Digital Health, digital technology is being positioned as a central driver of NHS productivity, as NHS England sets out how it plans to deliver sustained efficiency gains over the next decade
In a productivity plan update published on 4 February 2026, NHS England said it expects productivity to improve by 2% a year, with progress driven through technology and digital innovation and funded through the current Spending Review settlement.
The document says the benefits of digital investment will only be realised if tougher decisions are taken to implement new systems, deliver measurable improvements, and remove existing systems and processes that hold back progress. The update was authored by NHS England chief financial officer Elizabeth O’Mahony.
From 12 February 2026, NHS England will begin publishing monthly productivity growth statistics at trust level, including data on the extent to which digital and technology adoption is contributing to productivity.
The plan also highlights the importance of placing greater emphasis on community and preventative care, with digital tools supporting new models of care.
