On this page you can read some examples of projects we have recently completed.
VMware
A large number of provider organisations across West Yorkshire and Harrogate use virtual infrastructure technology from a company called VMware. The region has benefitted from entering into a five year Enterprise License Agreement (ELA). This is a single contract, held by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, on behalf of the region with multi-tenancy for the different trusts. By entering into this single contract, our five year prices have been fixed, gaining value for money and the supplier has also provided a large percentage of additional licenses for free to enable trusts to try new innovative technologies. The trusts are planning how to utilise the free licenses.
Digital maternity exemption service
In 2020 we made it quicker and easier for mums-to-be and new mums to get exemption certificates entitling them to free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment. We piloted a new service in Leeds where midwives register details online and pregnant women, or those who have recently given birth, receive an emailed exemption which they can access immediately.
With the new maternity digital exemption service we can send certificates instantly by email. There are no forms to fill in and no need to deal with applications manually or to issue plastic cards – so we’re creating a more sustainable, digital service too. The system is safe and secure. Healthcare professional use their NHS log in details so there’s no need to remember a separate username and password.
My Pregnancy Journey
Together we co-produced with local women a booklet entitled My Journey through maternity care to inform the women we care for and their families about the choices of place of birth available to them in West Yorkshire and Harrogate. We launched the new booklet in October 2020 as a digital tool My Pregnancy Journey that can be accessed on a variety of platforms, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. It includes a BrowseAloud function and a Personalised Care Planning facility – for women to record their needs and choices. For more information see the choice and personalised care pages.
Improving access and connectivity
We have carried out a range of initiatives to improve connectivity and build a common public sector network. This includes:
- replacing the separate health and local government networks with one public sector network across 64 partner organisations
- funding for all GP practices to give staff and patients access to WiFi in the surgery. This is free to use and also signposts them to health and care advice
- implementing Govroam which means that staff visiting another organisation can input a username and password to connect back to their own organisations. This means there is no need to make separate arrangements or issue temporary passwords. It also saves costs on procuring wireless networks and means we can make better use of the space available in our buildings
NHS 111
NHS 111 makes it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health. As part of an urgent and emergency care pilot we trialled direct booking from NHS 111 to general practices. This means that people dialling 111 can have an appointment made directly with their own practice if their need is less urgent.
Digitally enabled health and care
Using technology is an important part of the care we provide. We have been working in partnership with mHabitat to design digitally enabled health and care that works for everyone.
This has included developing new ways of accessing healthcare providers for people who are hearing and/or sight impaired. For more information see the NHS Widening Digital Participation pages on the Good Things Foundation website.
While the acceleration of digital technologies comes at a crucial stage for care, we must continue to meet the needs of all those who need help. In our digital strategy we highlight the need to take a regional approach to digital inclusion to help make sure that we can all benefit from digitally-enabled health and care.
By working collaboratively we can:
- work towards common goals, agree priorities and areas to focus on in the future
- look at new and different ways of increasing access to digital in a systematic and holistic way so no-one is left behind
- overcome data problems and co-design processes
- learn from each other and share best practice to help make sure performance, results and services are the best that they can be for patients