The National Health Service (NHS) in England is spending approximately £240 million each year on storing paper patient records, with many facilities remaining entirely dependent on physical files. This expenditure comes despite repeated government commitments to digitize the healthcare system and make it paperless.
A report by the King's Fund think-tank revealed that only five NHS trusts in England have fully digitized patient records. Currently, 209 NHS sites, including diagnostic centers and clinics, exclusively utilize paper records. Most NHS hospitals employ a hybrid system of both digital and paper records for information such as appointment notes, letters, and scan results.
The cost of storing these paper files includes rental fees for off-site storage units and buildings, as many hospitals lack adequate space. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the NHS allocated £239.5 million to storing patient records, which also covers stationery expenses for boxes, folders, and filing cabinets.
Sarah Woolnough, head of the King's Fund, described the cost of storing paper records as an example of "NHS waste" that requires addressing. She noted that the continued reliance on paper records at over 200 sites is "disappointing and frustrating" and contributes to risks of errors and poor communication, potentially impacting patient care. Healthwatch research indicates that nearly a quarter of adults report inaccuracies or missing details in their medical records.
Past initiatives to eliminate paper records have faced challenges. In 2013, then-Conservative Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced a goal for the NHS to be "paperless by 2018." Subsequently, the NHS pledged to be "paper-free at the point of care" by 2020. The government's ten-year health plan, published last year, outlined a transition from "analogue to digital," aiming for a "single patient record" by 2028. This would consolidate all medical information, accessible via the NHS App, allowing healthcare professionals to view a patient's medical history regardless of their location within the UK.
The findings from the King's Fund underscore the importance of implementing a unified patient record system, a topic scheduled for debate in Parliament next month as part of an ongoing health bill. Proponents argue that such a system would prevent patients from having to repeat their medical history to different providers and ensure staff have timely access to necessary information for effective patient care.