Before the emergence of the novel coronavirus and the subsequent pandemic, the health and care system had a poor track record in adopting digital technologies at scale. However, in response to the pandemic the health care system rapidly implemented new tools, many technology-based, to allow health care to be delivered when physical contact is not possible.

It has become received wisdom that the NHS struggles to adopt digital innovation, with many government reports and research papers highlighting barriers to the spread of technology. Yet during the Covid-19 pandemic, many NHS providers have moved services online at astonishing pace.

This paper, commissioned by the Academic Health Science Network, looks at four digital innovations in health services from the UK and the Nordic countries.

Because of COVID-19 most GP practices have had to dramatically change how they provide care for their patients. Under NHS guidance, remote consultation (via telephone, online message or video) has been rapidly introduced to replace face-to-face consultation.