Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Trudy Harrison and Oliver Dowden

Wednesday 12th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to encourage technological innovation in tackling social challenges and delivering public services.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

I am determined that the public sector embraces the huge opportunities for better public services at lower cost provided by technology. That is why last week I announced five new public sector challenges from the GovTech innovation fund and why I am also leading the development of a public services innovation strategy to be published next spring.

[Trudy Harrison]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Over the summer I wrote to all my 37 care homes and GP practices and visited most of them. They are facing unprecedented challenges with recruitment and retention. How will technology help in that regard?

[Oliver Dowden]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I know that she is committed to this issue. We, too, are committed to using emerging technologies to improve the quality of care for patients and to empower staff. Under one of the GovTech challenges last week, we are working with a healthcare trust to ensure prescriptions are not interrupted when people move between care providers and, as Members will have seen, my right hon. Friend the Health Secretary is also very much committed to this agenda.