Benefits of internet first

The public internet provides users with open access to web-based services that is not restricted by their location or their network connection. The benefits of publishing digital services on the internet include:

• easier access to digital health and social care services, including remote working;
• it makes it easier for different digital services to work together;
• increased innovation by improving accessibility to other digital service providers;
• simpler connections for health and care organisations; and
• new NHS and social care centres, such as field hospitals, can be set up more quickly.

Users will still need to register and use a password so Internet first options are still secure. All security measures will be included at the digital service level, improving security.

Reducing the reliance upon private networks

Reducing the reliance upon private networks means that this will:

• help to reduce the volume of private networks required across the system and could potentially reduce costs and the carbon footprint of NHS data centre use; and
• help to reduce other overhead costs in the NHS and social care by increasing access to digital services that would have otherwise required staff to use specific computers at specific locations.

Reducing the barriers to entry

Reducing barriers to entry opens the market for suppliers which will lead to: 

• a more competitive and innovative marketplace; and
• improved interoperability between digital services

Promoting off the shelf technologies

Commodity, off the shelf hardware and code mean less reliance on bespoke systems and rare skills to help us transform health and care to: 

• maximise the number of developers and software engineers available; and
• build and implement software and digital services quicker

Providing clear direction across health and social care means that:

• internet first will bring to life the government’s vision “The future of healthcare: our vision for digital, data and technology in health and care”; and
• services operating across the NHS and Social Care being available over the internet will help to build government wide consistency in digital services accessibility and architectures.

Reduction in lead time

A reduction in digital services implementation lead-times to market and networking overheads/operating costs.

Flexibility for the future 

Providing digital services over the internet optimises how we use 5G mobile networks, the Internet of Things and new technology.

Ubiquitous access 

By providing access to digital services, to all that need them, wherever they need them:

• many more people (public and staff) can use digital health and social care services at a time and place that they choose; 
• patient and citizens have a better experience with more personal control over the services they use; 
• much wider inclusion so greater equity in who can use digital services; 
• greater service efficiency to support nomad working away from a fixed base; and
• users can use any device to access digital services