Sabina Kuzmiakova
Sales Consultant, Kerv | Sales
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Get in touchPublished 04/08/26 under:
The NHS is under pressure but so is the opportunity for transformation
Across NHS trusts, the digital landscape today is defined by a tension: unprecedented opportunity paired with very real constraints.
As Tom Brown, CTO at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, shared in a recent Kerv webinar session, the tools available today, cloud, AI, automation, and low-code, mean organisations can redesign pathways, reduce repetitive work, and unlock staff capacity faster than ever before.
But the reality on the ground is more complex. Trusts are contending with increasing patient demand, workforce shortages, tight financial constraints, and rising expectations from both clinicians and patients, all while maintaining core services under constant operational pressure.
So the question is not what is possible. It is what is practical right now.
The myth of “big bang” transformation
There is often an assumption that digital transformation requires large-scale system replacement or major capital investment.
But as Tom explains, that is not the current NHS reality. Legacy systems are not going away overnight, capital funding is unpredictable, and every investment must deliver quick, tangible value. Instead, the most effective approach is to focus on smaller wins.
“The biggest wins will not come from shiny tech. They will come from solving the real bottlenecks.”
Where real impact is happening today
At Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, transformation has not been driven by theory. It has been grounded in practical improvements that reduce friction in day-to-day operations. Examples include:
• Replacing paper drug charts (EPMA) to improve medication safety and auditability
• Introducing tap-and-go login and mobile workstations, reducing wasted time and paper use
• Integrating clinical systems to cut down manual rekeying and duplication
• Using AI to automate administrative processes such as invoice data extraction
These changes may appear incremental, but their impact is significant. They reduce risk, free up clinical time, improve patient flow, and lower operational costs. Just as importantly, they build momentum for further change.
Integration, not replacement, is the real opportunity
One of the biggest challenges NHS trusts face is system fragmentation. Multiple essential systems often do not integrate seamlessly, leading to manual workarounds, duplicated effort, and increased risk of error.
Replacing these systems is rarely feasible in the short term. Instead, the opportunity lies in connecting them more effectively.
By using automation, AI, and integration tools, trusts can:
• Move data between systems automatically
• Eliminate repetitive administrative tasks
• Improve data flow without full-scale replacement
This approach delivers value faster and with far less disruption to frontline services.
A practical model for delivering change
Tom outlines a clear and pragmatic framework for delivering transformation in this environment:
1. Evidence – Validate ideas quickly through short discovery cycles
2. Alignment – Ensure the problem is owned by the service, not just IT
3. Speed to value – Reduce friction using low-code, automation, and reusable components
4. Transparency – Demonstrate progress through visible, incremental wins
This approach turns transformation into a continuous, measurable process rather than a one-off programme.
Why small wins matter more than ever
In today’s NHS environment, success is not defined by a single large transformation initiative. Instead, it comes from consistently addressing everyday operational challenges such as:
• Manual rekeying
• Paper-based workflows
• Delays caused by disconnected systems
Solving these builds trust across the organisation, frees up capacity in overstretched teams, reduces inefficiencies, and creates the headroom needed for more ambitious change.
“When you solve those problems consistently, even with small increments, you build trust, free capacity, and create the space for bigger change.”
The takeaway for NHS leaders
Digital transformation in the NHS does not start with technology. It starts with operational pain. The organisations making the most progress today are those that:
• Focus on where staff are under the greatest pressure
• Remove friction from everyday processes
• Deliver measurable improvements quickly
Because in the current climate, practical impact will always outweigh theoretical transformation, every time.
The NHS doesn’t need more technology for technology’s sake. It needs practical solutions to the challenges that consume time, create friction, and keep staff away from patient care. The trusts making the greatest progress are those that start with the bottlenecks and use technology as an enabler, not the destination.
Watch the webinar AI for the NHS Smarter Ways to Save Time and Improve Care with Tom Brown on demand, or read our full Q&A to explore his perspectives on delivering digital transformation in the NHS.
