Digital transformation is everywhere in healthcare conversations, but actually working out where your organisation stands is harder than it looks. That’s why the NHS digital maturity assessment was developed: to give practices, PCNs, trusts and other NHS teams a structured way to benchmark progress against recognised standards.
The challenge? It can be a little involved. Useful, yes, but not always something you can complete in a spare five minutes between meetings. That’s where our own digital maturity assessment NHS tool comes in. It’s intentionally shorter, much lighter to complete, and focuses on everyday access and admin pressures rather than the whole landscape of NHS digital standards.
How the two fit together
Some people ask if they’re meant to choose between the national NHS digital maturity assessment and ours. They’re not alternatives in that sense – more like two layers of the same picture. The NHS version is comprehensive, a baseline for policy and strategy. Ours is designed for speed: a practical “how are we doing right now?” check, with a personalised report that’s easy to share with your team.
I think of it a bit like a health check. One is the full MOT; the other is a quick blood pressure test that shows you if it’s time to look deeper. Both have their place.
Why start with something small
For busy practice managers, finding the time to review digital progress can be difficult. A quick tool that takes less than five minutes is far less daunting than a full audit. Our digital maturity assessment NHS option is a simple way to start, and it can point you toward areas where the official NHS framework might help you go further.
Maybe you’ll discover your website is strong but online forms aren’t integrated. Or that staff know about new tools but aren’t sure how to promote them to patients. These small insights build confidence before you tackle broader plans or measure yourself against national expectations.
Bringing clarity to digital progress
Ultimately, both tools share the same goal: helping NHS teams create better, more accessible services for patients while easing staff workload. By using the two assessments side by side, you get both focus and breadth – a snapshot and a full map.
Perhaps that’s the real value here. It’s not about picking one over the other, but about giving yourself practical next steps, whether you’re improving online appointment booking, meeting NHS digital standards, or thinking about a full transformation programme.
FAQ:
Our tool is shorter, simpler and designed to be completed in just a few minutes. It complements the official NHS digital maturity assessment by giving a quick snapshot of where your practice stands and actionable next steps, without the complexity of a full audit.
It’s designed for GP practices, PCNs, ICBs, hospital trusts and community health teams. Essentially, anyone looking to understand their digital capabilities in relation to NHS digital standards can benefit.
You’ll receive an in-dpeth report including your digital maturity score, practical recommendations to improve patient access and staff workflow and insights designed to support your care setting.
The assessment usually takes less than five minutes. No technical knowledge is required, making it an easy starting point for busy practice managers and digital leads.