A new inquiry led by the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) is examining how digital exclusion is shaping health outcomes – and what must change to ensure digital transformation in healthcare does not deepen existing inequalities.
Across the UK, the shift toward digital healthcare is accelerating. Appointments are booked online. Consultations happen over video. Monitoring apps are increasingly standard. But while services continue to digitalise, access to them remains far from universal – and the implications for equity are profound.
The Inquiry into Digital Inclusion and Health, chaired by Professor Farah Bhatti OBE, seeks to uncover the real-world impacts of this divide. A consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and Honorary Professor at Swansea University Medical School, Professor Bhatti was the first British woman of Pakistani heritage appointed as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in the UK. Her leadership is rooted in clinical excellence and a commitment to dismantling structural barriers across the healthcare system.
Professor Bhatti said: “Throughout my career I have seen the impact that inequality has on patients. The pace of technological change must balance efficiency and convenience with ensuring that some of the most vulnerable in society are supported – and not left behind. New systems and digitisation must also be accompanied with training and support for staff in every part of the NHS – including how they can support patients to engage with online NHS services.
I am looking forward to hearing from patients, healthcare professionals and a wide variety of stakeholders as we look towards creating actionable recommendations for government.”
Through a combination of written submissions and live evidence sessions, the inquiry will explore how people experience digital exclusion when engaging with the health system – whether as patients, carers, clinicians, or health service staff.
“As the NHS continues its digital transformation, it cannot be assumed that everyone can come with it,” said Elizabeth Anderson, Chief Executive of the DPA. “Digital exclusion is not a peripheral issue — it directly impacts the ability to access care, understand information, and make informed decisions about health. This inquiry is a critical step toward building systems that serve everyone.”
The call for evidence invites contributions on a wide range of themes: access to technology and connectivity; digital skills and literacy; language and trust; and the impact of digitalisation on marginalised groups, including older adults, rural communities, and those living with long-term conditions. It also seeks insight into how clinicians and frontline staff are navigating digital tools within health services.
Submissions are open until 30 July 2025, and may be made online or by post. Details on how to contribute are available at digitalpovertyalliance.org/healthinquiry.
A final report will be published in early 2026, with findings and recommendations designed to inform national policy and improve practice across the health and care sectors.
Digital access is no longer optional. It is a foundation of modern healthcare. This inquiry seeks to ensure it is also a foundation of health equity.