Abstract
The 10-year health plan aims to harness technology to relieve NHS clinical staff of administrative burdens and free up time to care. While this ambition has long featured in policy, results from time-saving technologies have often been disappointing. The plan suggests scaling tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) scribes, but outcomes depend on organisational and implementation factors. Context must be addressed and unintended consequences – such as ‘freed’ time creating heavier workloads – avoided. Time saved does not automatically improve patient care. This second article in a three-part series suggests that real-world benefits from time-saving technologies require a nuanced approach, though recent NHS AI technology trials show encouraging results.
Citation: Agnew T (2025) Will health plan’s shift from analogue to digital give nurses more time to care? Nursing Times [online]; 121: 12.
Author: Thelma Agnew is a freelance health journalist.
