A new collaborative digital project in the Hull area designed to improve how health and social care professionals share medical data is the first of its kind to launch in the UK.
A secure NHS network can now be accessed to allow adult social care workers in Hull to view resident care records. Six members of staff from the Hull City Council’s adult social care team now have access to the system, allowing them to view information generated from GP medical records around medication, diagnosed conditions and preferences for end-of-life care. These records can only be accessed by authorised staff who are directly involved in a patient’s care.
This has been a collaborative project between Hull City Council, NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, Humber Foundation Trust and NHS Digital and was progressed via the Humber Local Digital Roadmap Board, which sees a variety of local health and government organisations work in partnership on digital projects throughout the Humber.
Hull City Council is the first local authority across the country to use this system, which allows a wider group of professionals to support and plan for residents receiving adult social care.
John Mitchell, Associate Director of IT for the CCGs across the Humber region, said:
“This is a great example of how our local care organisations have worked together to ensure that care professionals across Hull can view the right information, at the right time, in the right location for the absolute benefit of patients.
“This process has not been straight forward and I’m proud of how as a community we have worked together to implement this in a safe and sound way. It is a further evidence of how our care community is empowering people via improved and appropriate information sharing to support holistic care.”
Alison Barker, Adult Social Care Manager for Hull City Council, said:
“Sharing health data between the relevant authorities is fundamental to improving and maintaining good quality services for our residents. By implementing this system, it means that those in need of support will only be required to tell their story once – rather than repeat it to a number of different people across various authorities.
“As a collaborative project, this has demonstrated the potential of working across organisations locally to overcome barriers and challenges to achieve positive outcomes for the local community. The Local Digital Roadmap Board, which is a partnership group including all sectors of health and the four local authorities, were particularly influential in making this project a reality.
“By being part of this group it was possible for the council’s adult social care and business specialist project team to overcome some difficult challenges, and ensure the project could progress. We are delighted at what we have achieved as a partnership.”
Keith Dye, Patient/Digital Citizen representative said:
"This is great news for patients with changing medical conditions whose needs alter. Often they struggle to report their new circumstances and ensure they receive appropriate services. Linking their Summary Care Record will increase efficiency of the services provided to ensure resources go further."
Mike Bateson, Local Digital Roadmap Healthwatch Representative said:
‘’The development of a more integrated health record serving our local community is to be applauded. For a patient, the right information is available at the right time allowing those in need to be given the right care. Moving away from the frustration of having to tell the patient story over and over again to multiple health organisations who are looking after you. The use of technology has allowed better collaboration across our community services. This project has developed a better approach to integrated working, and has been well supported by all.’’
