5 Benefits of Patient Education Systems for Hospitals
Patient education systems for hospitals enable patients to control their health and be proactive in preventing conditions from worsening, taking responsibility from healthcare professionals.
4 minute read | 17/01/2024
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Patient education platforms put people in control of their health, helping them understand conditions, treatments, and next steps - while easing pressure on stretched NHS teams. With waiting lists still high (but beginning to fall), digital, self-serve education and guidance is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s essential to improving flow and experience across wards.
Below are five benefits we see Trusts realise when they adopt a modern patient education platform like SPARK Fusion® - available on bedside tablets and patients’ own devices (BYOD).
1) Patients take control of their care
Make information easy to find and easy to trust - on the device patients already use.
- Give patients access to tailored leaflets, videos and pathway explainers alongside appointment details and practical ward information.
- Meet people where they are: SPARK Fusion® runs on bedside tablets and patients’ own phones/tablets, tackling digital inclusion by offering multiple access points.
2) Less confusion, more confidence - thanks to integrated records
Clear, consistent information reduces anxiety and repeat questions. Patient-held records are also becoming more connected:
- Patients Know Best (PKB) integration means adults can view a single, consistent record and share relevant information with their care teams. This helps patients and clinicians see the same facts, in one place.
- The NHS vision for a Single Patient Record is to give every part of the system a complete picture - supporting care that shifts from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention. Education platforms should complement that direction.
SPARK TSL partners with PKB so Trusts can surface consistent education alongside verified health information, reducing mixed messages and stress.
3) Better experience for patients and families - by design (and by law)
Accessibility isn’t optional. Public-sector digital services should meet WCAG 2.2 AA as a minimum, and the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was updated in 2025 to strengthen communication support for people with disabilities or sensory loss. Platforms and content should reflect both.
What this means in practice:
- Clear, plain-language content with alternative formats (subtitles, transcripts, BSL signposting, audio, large text).
- Interfaces built to WCAG 2.2 (for example, unobscured focus and adequate target sizes), aligning with the NHS Service Manual.
- Easy inclusion of families and carers - shareable resources and simple “what to expect” guides help everyone stay aligned.
4) Smoother hospital services and shorter stays
Education goes hand-in-hand with digitised processes:
- Meal ordering, instant messaging, room controls and ward-specific information can be delivered through SPARK Fusion® on bedside tablets, reducing paper, interruptions and unnecessary walking for staff.
- Digitally supported discharge planning and “what happens next” content reduce bottlenecks. Evidence links structured discharge planning and similar system-level interventions with shorter length of stay and fewer readmissions in high-risk groups.
- Education also supports virtual wards / hospital-at-home by preparing patients (and families) to self-manage and know when to escalate.
5) More time for clinical priorities
When patients can self-serve answers and submit non-clinical requests digitally (extra water, blankets, TV help), clinicians spend less time on interruptions and more on care. That dovetails with NHS England’s Supported Self-Management approach - boosting people’s knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their health between touchpoints.
What “good” looks like in 2025
- BYOD + bedside tablets so everyone can access content in a way that suits them.
- Accessibility by default (WCAG 2.2 AA) and AIS compliance.
- Integrated records (e.g., PKB) to ensure education matches the latest clinical context.
- Pathway-specific libraries (pre-op, maternity, diabetes, oncology, discharge) plus quick “101” guides for common procedures.
- Analytics to see which content reduces call-bells and questions - and where to improve next.
- Virtual-ward readiness - education and remote-monitoring know-how that extends beyond the ward.
How SPARK TSL helps (with SPARK Fusion®)
SPARK Fusion® brings education and entertainment together on bedside tablets and personal devices, with options like instant messaging, meal ordering, room control, ward-level customisation of content, and integration routes to trusted NHS resources. It’s designed to improve experience for patients and create tangible time savings for staff.
For insights into these features and how you’ll benefit from using them, download our latest product brochure.
About the author
Rebecca O'Donovan
Becky is the Marketing Director at SPARK TSL, of whom she has worked for since 2012. She is responsible for high-level marketing strategy focusing on lead generation and aiding the vision of the business to ensure business growth.
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