Integration challenges prevent progress and operational efficiency in healthcare

Disjointed workflows, poor integration between essential platforms, and a lack of visibility into back-office processes are some of the biggest pain points for respondents of our Annual Trends Report 2026.

Yet the problem isn't necessarily a lack of investment in technology. It's a lack of connection between the systems that’re meant to support both staff and patients.

The blockers to progress and the software integration crisis 

The path to operational efficiency in healthcare isn’t without its challenges. Understandably, economic uncertainty is cited by 23% as the single largest blocker outside of their control. But beyond external pressures, internal hurdles are also slowing progress. Difficulty in making data-driven decisions (6.7%) and poor back-office visibility (6.3%) are significant obstacles.

These issues are directly linked to the integration crisis. Because when data is fragmented across disconnected systems, providers simply can’t generate the accurate insights needed to deliver the level of care patients need.

And despite significant software investments, many healthcare organisations are failing to see the return on investment they expected. Our research shows that a staggering 60% of organisations cite integration challenges as a major hurdle.

And as we’ve briefly mentioned. disjointed systems lead to:

• Delayed decisions: Without a complete view of data, teams cannot make informed choices quickly.
• Inefficient workflows: Staff may be forced into manual workarounds, leading to errors and wasted time.
• Poor visibility: A lack of insight makes it nearly impossible to identify and fix bottlenecks.

This misalignment between systems creates daily roadblocks that healthcare organisations can ill afford. When a patient record system isn’t accessible by clinicians across different pathways for example, it creates unnecessary administrative work and frustration for both patients and clinicians.

So, it’s no wonder why 30% of healthcare leaders are prioritising the need to reduce the clinical admin burden. They recognise that every minute a clinician spends fighting with software is a minute not spent with a patient.

The strategic shift to the cloud

Organisations are actively working to solve this integration problem, and the cloud is becoming a critical part of their strategy. The focus is shifting from using the cloud for simple collaboration to leveraging it for core organisational functions, being a critical move towards building a future-proof healthcare service.

Our findings show a clear direction:

• 41% are focused on integrating their platforms and tools.
• 34% are prioritising improved disaster recovery and business continuity.

This signals a maturing understanding of cloud technology, reinforcing statements outlined in the 10 Year Plan pushing for a more unified healthcare system. Of course, organisations accelerating this journey will gain agility, reduce risk, and unlock a significant advantage, but this shift needs to be tailored to eliminate geographical disparities in care.

How improving operational efficiency is delivering value in healthcare

However, many organisations are proving that progress is possible. And they’re finding success by focusing on two key areas: collaboration and automation.

1. Cloud collaboration (34% adoption)

Shared systems and cloud-based tools are helping providers serve wider geographical areas. And interoperability between different service locations allows teams to collaborate seamlessly, no matter where they are. This not only improves continuity across different locations and pathways but also boosts employee satisfaction by providing them with the tools they need to work effectively.

2. Process automation (39% at an advanced stage)

Automating repetitive, manual tasks is one of the fastest ways to achieve efficiency gains. From patient triage to document processing, automation frees up your teams to concentrate on patient care and other high-value work. Organisations leaning into this added automation, as seen in our recent report ‘AI in GP Workflow’, are seeing significant value, including:

• Hours saved and redirected to patient-facing activities.
• A measurable reduction in process errors.
• Faster completion times for administrative tasks.
• Lower labour costs.

These successes demonstrate that with the right strategy, it’s possible to overcome operational hurdles and deliver tangible improvements.

Building a more connected future for healthcare

The healthcare sector has a clear ambition to build a more efficient, resilient, and patient-focused future. And by recognising the challenges of disjointed workflows and poor integration, the path to tackling them becomes clearer.

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At OneAdvanced, we’re working hard to join pathways across UK primary, secondary, urgent, and private care through our portfolio of sector-focussed software for both clinical and non-clinical use. See it for yourself here.