⚡ Quick Summary
Stay informed with the latest developments in digital health, including key news, innovations, and events that are shaping the healthcare landscape.
💡 Highlights from the Digital Health Sector
- 🩺 Patients Know Best (PKB) has officially launched at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT). This new patient portal replaces the previous Your EPR system and works alongside the DrDoctor appointment management platform. Patients can now access their health information, appointment letters, and test results all in one place, enhancing their overall experience.
- 🏅 Answer Digital, a digital consultancy and NHS partner, has been nominated for the Employee Owned Business of the Year award at the UK Employee Ownership Awards. The company has successfully completed over 300 digital transformation projects with the NHS and is recognized for its commitment to employee wellbeing and performance. The winners will be announced on 26 November in Telford.
- 🤝 Doctor Care Anywhere and ZoomDoc have teamed up to provide same-day medical letters and certificates around the clock. This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on NHS services during busy travel periods, allowing patients quicker access to essential documents like fit-to-fly certificates.
- 💡 Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a Digital Inclusion service to enhance patient access to digital healthcare technologies. Patient access navigators will provide personalized support to help patients effectively use technology for managing their health.
- 📲 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has integrated its Patient Portal with the NHS App, marking a significant advancement in its Patient Portal program. This integration allows patients in southeast London to manage outpatient appointments and prescriptions more easily, addressing previous feedback about navigating multiple systems.
❓ Did You Know?
According to data from Patient Claim Line, nearly half (49%) of NHS hospitals in England are rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Only 6.8% have achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating, while 44% are rated as ‘Good’. The regions with the most hospitals failing to meet standards include London, Manchester, and Sheffield.
📖 Recommended Reading
Check out Dan Wellings’ blog post titled Five Essentials for the NHS’s New National Conversation, published by The King’s Fund. This piece discusses the government’s Change NHS initiative, emphasizing the importance of public and staff engagement in shaping the future of the NHS.
🚨 Upcoming Events
- 6 November: Virtual event on A Digitally Enabled Health and Care System.