Onelivery Blog

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s Strategy for Reducing Costs with Digital Innovation

Let’s face it—running a hospital in today’s world isn’t easy. With budgets tightening and demand rising, NHS Trusts like Imperial College Healthcare have had to get creative about how they deliver high-quality care while keeping costs under control. The solution? Going digital in a smart, strategic way.

Rather than adding pressure to already stretched teams, technology is helping Imperial work more efficiently, save money, and ultimately give patients a better experience. Here’s how they’re doing it—and why it matters.

Cutting Down on Paper, Speeding Things Up

One of the biggest changes? Ditching the paperwork. Imperial has rolled out electronic patient records (EPRs) across its hospitals, which means doctors and nurses can access the most up-to-date information in just a few clicks. No more rifling through folders or waiting for paper files to catch up.

Appointments are also being booked digitally, and referrals handled online—cutting down on admin, reducing errors, and freeing up precious time for the staff who need it most.

It’s working. NHS Digital reports that hospitals using systems like EPRs can save up to £12 million a year—all while improving care and reducing delays.

Better Stock Control, Less Waste

From medications to medical equipment, keeping track of what’s in stock can be a real challenge. Imperial now uses smart systems to monitor inventory, avoid unnecessary purchases, and make sure supplies are where they need to be—when they’re needed. This shift has helped them save money, reduce waste, and avoid the kind of shortages that can slow things down or impact patient care.

Supporting Patients from a Distance

Technology is also helping patients manage their health from home. With remote monitoring tools and virtual consultations, people with long-term conditions like diabetes or heart issues can get regular check-ins without needing to come into hospital. Not only is this more convenient for patients—it’s also been shown to cut hospital admissions by up to 50% in some cases. That’s a big deal when every bed counts.

Helping Staff Feel Confident with Tech

Digital innovation isn’t just about the tools—it’s about the people using them. That’s why Imperial has been investing in training to help staff feel confident using new systems. By making sure doctors, nurses, and support teams are comfortable with the technology, the Trust is helping everything run smoothly—and reducing the risk of errors or delays caused by confusion or uncertainty.

Why It All Matters

At the end of the day, it’s not just about saving money. It’s about creating a healthcare system that works better for everyone—patients, staff, and the wider community. By embracing digital innovation, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is showing that change doesn’t have to be difficult—it can be smart, strategic, and make a real difference.

Onelivery: Supporting Smarter Healthcare

At Onelivery, we’re proud to support the NHS and local healthcare providers by offering reliable prescription delivery that’s simple, secure, and sustainable. We know how important it is to get the right medication to the right person at the right time—and we’re here to help make that process as smooth as possible.

Whether it’s helping reduce pharmacy queues, preventing missed doses, or just giving patients one less thing to worry about, we’re committed to doing our part.