This summary of contracts and commissioning includes six London trusts rolling out a digital tool for mental health care, with Derby and Burton University Hospitals and Chesterfield Royal Hospital signinging a joint contract for a new Nervecentre REP.
NHS FT Hospitals in Gloucestershire launch DrDoctor patient portal
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has in partnership with DrDoctor providing an online portal for outpatients, reducing the need for paper appointment letters.
The Patient Engagement Portal (PEP), which went live on 14 May 2024, allows outpatients at Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Stroud Maternity Hospital to view letters online digital information regarding appointments and receive reminders by SMS.
The five-year contract with DrPhysician began in 2023, with development underway on the PEP since December 2023 and more features expected to be added throughout 2024 and 2025.
In summer 2024, the trust plans to integrate the PEP into the NHS appso that patients can choose to receive notifications instead of text messages, as well as introducing the functionality for patients to change their appointment times online.
Jersey General Hospital implements electronic prescribing for outpatients
The Jersey Government's Health and Community Services (HCS) has implemented a new electronic prescription system at the Jersey General Hospital Pharmacy, which aims to reduce waiting times and improve patient safety.
Most prescriptions will now be submitted electronically to the hospital pharmacy via the Electronic Prescribing and Medication Administration (EPMA) system, with the majority of patients no longer receiving paper prescriptions.
The Jersey Government stated in A declarationpublished on May 3, 2024, that the change is part of its “continued commitment to streamline processes and improve medication safety and operational efficiencies.”
OneLondon announces digital tool for mental health care
Six mental health trusts in London deploy a digital tool in 2024-2025 to support the assessment of people detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA), OneLondon has announced.
The OneLondon eMHA programme, supported by NHS England frontline digitalisation funding of around £5 million, will replace current paper-based processes with Thalamos eMHA software to connect the care pathways of admission, treatment, hospitalization and discharge.
East London NHS Foundation Trust will be the first to start using the solution in summer 2024 and the rest of London's trusts will follow by April 2025.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital deploys C PAS system
A new Patient Administration System (PAS) has been deployed to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust last weekend, as part of the first phase of its deployment of a new EPR from System C.
The PAS rollout is the first phase of a major digital transformation program underway at the trust, which aims to improve patient care through the use of modern digital systems.
The PAS replaced the previous system at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital, which had been in place for 20 years. Its deployment saw the transfer of more than a million patient records, while more than 5,000 staff members were trained on the new system.
UHDB and CRH sign a joint contract with Nervecentre for a new EPR
University Hospitals Derby and Burton (UHDB) and Chesterfield Royal Hospital (CRH) have signed a joint contract for a new electronic patient record (EPR) system provided by Nervecentre.
The collaborative approach to acquiring an integrated EPR solution between two neighboring trusts is expected to bring significant benefits to patients and staff.
Nerve center's modern interface and ability to work on mobile devices allows staff to easily access patient records at the bedside, with just a click. The system will also support virtual clinics, allowing care to be more accessible to patients across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
Nervecentre was announced as the preferred supplier in December 2023, with the contract officially signed following a successful application for national funding to the NHSE in March 2024.
Full implementation of the new EPR system is expected to take up to two years across both trusts.