Healthcare is complex, and nowhere is that more evident than in the ongoing challenges of the NHS. While other sectors have rapidly transformed with technology, healthcare has often felt stuck — entangled in bureaucracy, politics, and operational complexities. Yet there are leaders like Dr. Thomas Micklewright who run towards these challenges, rather than away from them.

Dr. Micklewright, Medical Director at ORCHA and digital health leader, has spent his career improving patient care through innovation. From founding a mental health enterprise for disadvantaged children to serving as a national voice for primary care innovation, his journey highlights the intersection of clinical expertise and technology. Today, he works to design digital tools that genuinely improve patient outcomes while supporting healthcare professionals.

The Promise and Challenge of the NHS 10-Year Plan

The recently released NHS 10-Year Plan sets out an ambitious vision: shifting care from hospitals to community-based settings and empowering primary care networks (PCNs) to deliver integrated neighbourhood care. For Dr. Micklewright, this is an exciting move, especially when combined with the growing role of digital tools like wearables, remote monitoring, and AI-powered apps.

Yet, he cautions, the plan still leaves many questions unanswered. How will funding be allocated? Who will lead implementation? And how will frontline staff be supported to adopt new technologies safely and effectively? According to Dr. Micklewright, without addressing these operational and workforce challenges, even the most exciting digital initiatives may fall short.

Patient-Facing Technology: Why It Matters

One of Dr. Micklewright’s central messages is the power of patient-facing technology. Evidence shows that patients who are “activated” — confident, knowledgeable, and able to self-manage — are:

• 43% less likely to need emergency hospital care
• 18% less likely to require frequent GP appointments
• About 50% less likely to need urgent mental health support

“Despite our best intentions, clinicians simply don’t have the time to educate patients on everything they need to know,” Dr. Micklewright explains. Digital tools can bridge that gap, helping patients manage conditions like diabetes, back pain, and atrial fibrillation, while freeing up clinicians to focus on complex care.

What Makes Good Digital Health Technology?

Not all digital tools are created equal. Dr. Micklewright emphasises three key standards for patient-facing technology:

1. Usability and Accessibility: Tools must be easy to navigate and inclusive for diverse patient populations.
2. Clinical Input and Evidence: Products should have a solid evidence base and be supported by qualified clinical teams.
3. Data Security: Patient data must be protected according to regulatory standards.

“About 80% of apps on the app store fail basic quality standards,” he notes. Healthcare organisations and patients alike need guidance to find safe, effective solutions. This is where curated libraries and tools like ORCHA come into play, allowing healthcare teams to confidently recommend vetted apps to patients.

Engaging the Next Generation of Patients

As younger, digitally-native generations take charge of their own health, patient-facing technology becomes even more critical. Surveys indicate that many 18–25-year-olds prefer using mental health apps over traditional therapy or medication. This highlights the importance of meeting patients where they are — on smartphones, social media, and other platforms they already use.

Dr. Micklewright believes in combining personalisation with trust: digital recommendations should be tailored to the patient’s needs and verified by clinical oversight.

“If we can build confidence in safe digital tools, we empower people to self-manage and improve outcomes,” he says.

Beyond Healthcare: Implications for Social Care

The role of digital technology extends into social care as well. Tools can support older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those reliant on carers — both formal and informal — to manage health more effectively. Dr. Micklewright emphasises that all health and care professionals, from pharmacists to social workers, should routinely discuss digital solutions, helping to reduce digital exclusion and improve overall outcomes.

Final Thoughts

For healthcare and social care leaders, Dr. Micklewright’s message is clear: don’t leave patients behind in the digital health revolution. Empowering patients through safe, accessible, and evidence-based technology is not just a nice-to-have — it’s essential for creating a sustainable healthcare system.

As the NHS continues to evolve, digital tools offer the potential to transform patient care, reduce pressure on clinicians, and make the system more efficient. But to succeed, implementation must be thoughtful, inclusive, and patient-centred.

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