Modern care pathways and multi-disciplinary team-working mean that patients now come through the care process more quickly. Timely referrals and the availability of a precise and qualitative patient file are therefore central to the delivery of good care. They are vital for the patient of course, who wants a clear diagnosis and the best possible treatment, but also for colleagues within and outside of the hospital, who need up-to-date information in order to contribute effectively to the overall care pathway.

Commissioners and administrators too need accurate statistics for commissioning and reporting purposes, whilst health insurance companies make use of service data to award contracts and pay for care.

Given such a wealth of information and the increasing pace of care pathways, piles of tape recordings and papers are no longer the most efficient option. A digital approach, however, accelerates business processes and requires minimum time input from the medical specialist.