Month: September 2023

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Join us at the Elective Care Conference South 2023

We are excited to share that NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU (MLCSU) will be both exhibiting and speaking at the Elective Care Conference South 2023. The conference, set for 5 October 2023 at 15 Hatfields, London, promises a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of elective care.

The conference will focus on the following key discussion points:

– Enhancing capacity and efficiency: as the demand for healthcare continues to rise, so does the need for optimised capacity and efficiency.

– Patient-centred care and experience: placing patients at the heart of all initiatives, ensuring their care experience is optimal.

– Workforce resilience and collaboration: a close examination of the synergy between different roles in the healthcare sector and the need for resilience.

– Sustainable elective care systems: exploring methods and strategies to ensure that elective care is both efficient and sustainable.

Special session

We will be represented by:

Gemma Cowley – Head of Referral Management

Stephen Newton – Head of Contract Management

Priyantha Jayawardane – Deputy Director of Digital Innovation Unit

Our Head of Referral Management – Gemma Cowley will be hosting a session titled, Enabling Patient Choice – Facilitating System Mutual Aid at 9.05 am. This presentation promises to shed light on how the MLCSU, as an NHS organisation, utilises digital tools and methods in patient navigation, choice, referral management, and more.

The conference is designed for professionals with an interest in elective care processes and is an invaluable opportunity for NHS colleagues to share best practices, demonstrate their current offerings, and provide support. Our session will delve deep into strategies used in mitigating elective backlogs, as well as the digital tools implemented to garner intelligence on waiting lists.

Conference details

Date & Location: 5th October 2023 at 15 Hatfields, Chadwick Court, London SE1 8DJ

Venue: Sustain Ground floor

Event Timing: 9am – 16:00pm

Special Session by MLCSU: 9.05am

To sign up and for more details, visit the event page. Limited complimentary places are also available and you can check your eligibility. We look forward to seeing you there.

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IT integration and facility upgrade for the Shawbirch Medical Centre

Our Digital Transformation team seamlessly transitioned Shawbirch Medical Centre to their new facility, introducing advanced IT systems, successfully integrating neurology services, and enhancing patient experience, all within budget and on schedule.

Background

Due to space constraints and expansion plans for Shawbirch Medical Centre’s patient services, the GP practice partnership initiated the construction of a new facility. This new building would offer an expanded footprint, accommodate new staff, provide additional services, and relocate the practice to a more suitable location. Additionally, the Royal Wolverhampton Trust (RWT) expressed interest in establishing a neurology service within the practice, with the building slated for completion in July 2022.

In April 2022, NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU (MLCSU) were engaged to oversee the IT requirements (network, infrastructure, and hardware) for the practice and facilitate the integration of the RWT neurology service. The project aimed to relocate the practice to the new building while modernising desktop hardware and updating outdated software, facilitate the installation of the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) to enable additional services, including RWT neurology, to operate from the new facility, and properly dispose of ICT hardware from the previous building in accordance with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) guidelines.

Action

The Digital Transformation team implemented MLCSU’s established project management approach, which includes planning, execution, control & reporting, and review & closure stages.

Project implementation encompassed:

* Commissioning, installation, and segregation of the new HSCN network circuit, with dedicated bandwidth for the new services.
* Installing a new communications cabinet, network hardware, server, WiFi infrastructure, healthcare kiosk, patient calling system, and IT desktop hardware for over 70 users.
* Full decommissioning of the old premises.

Maintaining uninterrupted service to patients remained a top priority during this project, with MLCSU ensuring its feasibility. Real-time issue management and resolution during the inaugural week of operation contributed to the project’s overall success.

Impact

The project was executed successfully, meeting its deadline, and Shawbirch Medical Centre opened as scheduled on Monday, July 25th. This transition occurred seamlessly for both staff and patients.

Shortly thereafter, the RTW neurology services were launched as planned with service providers, and the implementation proceeded without any reported issues.

The introduction of digital arrival and patient calling screens significantly improved patient processes, freeing up more staff time for other essential activities.

The decommissioning of the old practice was successfully completed, and the project concluded within budgetary constraints.

Feedback

I would just like to say that we were extremely pleased with how the new build migration went. Despite some stressful moments in the weeks leading up to the move regarding dates, it all went really well. Kam (Project Manager) and Steve (Project Co-Ordinator), along with the IT team who were on site were fantastic. It was extremely well organised, and the IT guys were really helpful.

Ruth Waldendorf | Shawbirch Practice Manager

I’d like to echo that too as it went so smoothly, thanks to Kam and Steven for their great work.

Anthony Armstrong | ICB Primary Care Trust IT Lead, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICB

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Digital roadmap for PCN clinical system hub implementation

Our involvement and expertise in the clinical system hub implementation led to significant cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and halved GP time for Worcester City PCN, demonstrating the transformative impact of our collaboration.

Background

Worcester City PCN approached the Digital Transformation team at NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU (MLCSU) to join their project team and to provide support and expertise in implementing the clinical system hub. The clinical system hub enables Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to better support their neighbourhood working. This functionality supports coordinated working across organisations within the PCNs using some of the key functionalities below:-

* Record sharing – view and update GP records and shared record information from any approved organisation within a PCN, including from the hub.
* Cross-organisational appointments book – book from any organisation into another organisation with a single user account. 
* Electronic prescribing – the clinical system hub can be used to prescribe medication using the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

Action

The Digital Transformation team worked closely with Worcester City PCN to oversee their PCN hub implementation. They quickly formed a constructive and collaborative relationship. Task-oriented goals were agreed upon with the PCN, and progress was tracked through weekly reviews. The team focussed on the following areas:

* Electronic pathology test requesting
* PCN prescribing and cost centre codes
* Message Exchange for Social Care and Health (MESH) mailbox 
* GP Connect testing with NHS111.

Impact

Our Digital Transformation team offered valuable advice, and guidance whilst empowering the PCN’s project team to play a pivotal role in informing the PCN’s decisions and supporting their activities. The team provided validation and assurance regarding the technical aspects of the project, ensuring that the PCN made well-informed choices and avoided unnecessary investments and efforts.

By taking the advice on board, the PCN gained the confidence to engage with relevant parties, including suppliers, which significantly expedited the implementation process. This increased efficiency, allowing the PCN to achieve their goals more swiftly and effectively. With the guidance and support provided, the PCN achieved significant cost savings in their hub system implementation, reducing their cost by approximately £5,000. 

Furthermore, the implementation of the GP overflow appointments service proved highly effective. The service managed to reduce GP time by half, from six hours to just three hours. This significant time-saving allowed for more efficient utilisation of resources, freeing up valuable GP appointments for practice use. Our involvement led to cost savings and improved efficiency for the PCN.

Feedback

I can’t put a value on the expertise MLCSU brings to the table. They were able to battle through the EMIS jargon… Having that level of expertise as part of the project team was a great support. Would highly recommend it.

David McDowell – Digital and Transformation Lead / Patient Services Manager, Worcester City PCN

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Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP)

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We tackled overmedication in individuals with learning disabilities and autism by upskilling primary care pharmacists, facilitating structured medication reviews, and creating a supportive learning environment, leading to a significant reduction in psychotropic medication dosages and discontinuations, enhanced pharmacist confidence, increased community engagement, and receiving accolades at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023.

Background

In a collaboration between NHS England’s Specialist Pharmacy Service and NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU, our Medicines Management and Optimisation team we set out to address the over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both.

Many people with a learning disability have greater health needs than the general population. They are more likely to experience poor mental health and are more prone to chronic health problems. They are also 16 times more likely to be prescribed an antipsychotic medicine, with many not having a mental health diagnosis. This means that some of our most vulnerable patients are taking the most potent medicines. Secondary care does not have the capacity to see all these patients, but they all need a medication review.

Action

Upskilled primary care workforce: Identified learning and development needs to upskill pharmacists working within GP practices to undertake structured medication reviews (SMRs) in patients on antipsychotic medication.

Created a learning environment: Established a nationwide community of practice on the FutureNHS STOMP and STAMP platform (Stopping Over Medication of People with a Learning Disability, Autism or Both (STOMP) and Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics (STAMP)). Delivered seven educational webinars, produced five podcasts and clinical experts supported the chat forum.

Improved patient care: Pharmacist participants embraced the information provided and reported that the project improved their confidence, made a difference to patients and highlighted a group of patients who had not had their medicines reviewed before.

Captured results: We evaluated the results of four online surveys and four interviews with participants and incorporated them into a final report which has been published on the FutureNHS STOMP and STAMP platform.

Impact

– 56 survey respondents reported they completed 571 STOMP medicine reviews.

– 104 patients agreed to reduce the dose of their psychotropic medication, meaning side effects such as drowsiness and weight gain would be reduced.

– 42 patients agreed to have psychotropic medication stopped.

– Pharmacists’ confidence to talk to patients increased.

– Pharmacists’ confidence to undertake SMRs in patients with antipsychotic medication increased.

– Participants found the webinars and resources on FutureNHS STOMP and STAMP platform useful.

– People remain interested in the project.

– FutureNHS Community of Practice folder received a significant increase in views at the start of the project in April 2022 and downloads totalled 1478 by June 2023.

The project won the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023 in the ‘Learning Disabilities Initiative of the Year’ category and has also been nominated as a finalist in the HSJ Awards 2023 under the ‘Innovation & Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities’ category.

Feedback

Feedback from NHS England STOMP lead:

“MLCSU team grew a deeper understanding & passion for the work. They put heart & soul into the work believing in the values & principles required …They provided additional technical skills and expertise… This was beyond my expectations.”

Feedback from participating pharmacists:

“One patient I asked was pleased to have been invited for an SMR and was keen to look into a possible reduction or stop to medication which had been prescribed 13 years ago and no one had asked if he still needed it.”

“The best patient feedback I have had is ‘can we deal with you each time we have a query from now on?’. That made my day!”

”Very useful and feel comfortable knowing there is a community of colleagues I can reach out too if I have any questions.”

’’This is everyone’s business… it’s not just for specialists.”

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Two awards at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards

MLCSU team at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards

We are thrilled to announce that our Medicines Management and Optimisation team has won two awards for Improving Medicines Safety and Learning Disabilities Initiatives of the Year at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards which recognises safety, culture and positive experience in patient care.

A record-breaking 516 entries were received for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023, with 206 organisations, projects and individuals making it to the final shortlist, following two rounds of rigorous judging. The high volume – and exceptional quality – of applications once again showcased the level of commitment to patient care within the UK’s healthcare networks.

Our Inhaler prescribing errors project won the award under the ‘Improving Medicines Safety’ category. This project focused on enhancing inhaler prescribing practice. Through a comprehensive audit of inhaler prescriptions, we discovered that ingredient duplication within the same therapeutic drug class was often overlooked as a potential interaction or cause of side effects. We identified 360 patients with inhaler ingredient duplication errors, and nearly one-third of these errors persisted even during respiratory reviews. Armed with these audit results, we engaged with individual practices and initiated a thorough review of prescribing policies. To prevent future errors, we developed an easy-to-use reference guide for inhaler prescribing and extensively educated staff in primary and secondary care as well as community pharmacy settings.

The second award won under the ‘Learning Disabilities Initiatives of the Year’ centred on promoting the Community of Practice Learning Disability and Autism pilot, which aimed to up-skill pharmacists working in primary care networks to conduct holistic structured medication reviews for individuals with a learning disability and/or autism. By providing extensive training and support, the pilot empowered primary care network pharmacists to deliver comprehensive medication reviews that consider the unique needs of these patients. This national project, co-produced with NHS England Health Improvement Pharmacy leads and the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, not only identified the learning and development needs of pharmacists but also delivered a model of support and collected data to demonstrate its success. The positive feedback received from participants and users further validated the effectiveness of this model, making it an ideal candidate for wider implementation.

The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community. All finalists and winners were judged against three clear criterias; clinical and specialist excellence; enacting organisation-wide change and service/system innovation.

On receiving these awards, Jonathan Horgan, our Director of Pharmacy Services, commented:

“We are so pleased to have achieved three finalist entries, leading to two winners at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards. This is a great accolade for the staff,for MLCSU and a reflection of our commitment to excellence in medicines management and optimisation. Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team prioritise patient safety above all, ensuring every individual receives the highest standard of care. Achieving these HSJ Patient Safety Awards demonstrates that we are achieving our aims; to support NHS innovation, to work seamlessly in partnership and to share best practice in the NHS. We will continue to strive to be the best care support partner in the NHS.”

Paula Wilson, Associate Director of Pharmacy Services, commented:

“I am so happy our team’s work has been commended at these prestigious awards, both as finalists and winners. The improvements we have made to patient care, particularly in areas of safety and health inequalities, have been recognised and are hopefully an inspiration for similar projects across the NHS. Our partnership working approach has enabled our success. I would like to thank our team for their continued dedication to transform and deliver improved services to the population and improve health and wellbeing and thank our partners for their collaborative support.”

NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU (MLCSU) also had two finalist projects at the awards:

1. Reducing mortality project. The initiative aimed at reducing mortality in people with learning disabilities and epilepsy was shortlisted for the Learning Disabilities Initiative of the Year at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards.

2. Improving the safety of patients prescribed clozapine. This project focused on enhancing the safety of patients prescribed clozapine, a vital medication for managing specific mental health conditions.

A full list of all our awards and recognitions can be viewed at mlcsu.co.uk on the awards and recognitions page.

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Excellence in Informatics Accreditation achieved

We are thrilled to announce that our Data, Digital and Technology directorate has achieved the prestigious “Excellence in Informatics” Level 2 accreditation from the North West Informatics Skills Development Network (ISDN).

The ISDN accreditation is a peer-assessed standard, and we were required to provide extensive evidence of our capability and skills development practice against rigorous criteria. This recognition benchmarks highly our informatics staff’s expertise and encompasses all aspects of their personal and professional development, covering areas such as infrastructure, personal and career growth, professional advancement, workforce planning, people management and leadership.

Debbie Bywater, Chief Information Officer at NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU, said: “I am absolutely delighted that building upon our achievement of obtaining Excellence in Informatics Level 1 accreditation last summer, we have now achieved Level 2 accreditation from the North West Skills Development Network. The accreditation process involved an external assessment against a wide range of criteria all of which we demonstrated we met, and in several cases exceeded in respect of the required standards.

“We approached the accreditation as a continuous improvement opportunity for the service. It was a very positive experience, it has provided a framework to consider our workforce and service development holistically and it will inform the ongoing development of our organisational development plan.”

For our clients, this accreditation reaffirms our commitment to staff development and service quality, showcasing our focus on both staff welfare and service excellence.

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LDA project shortlisted for the 2023 HSJ Awards

NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU (MLCSU) is delighted to announce that our work to develop a community of practice for stopping the over medication of people (STOMP) with learning disabilities, autism or both has been shortlisted for the Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award at the HSJ Awards. The project was a collaboration with NHS England and Specialist Pharmacy Services. The shortlisting recognises our work as an outstanding contribution to healthcare and secures us a place at the prestigious awards ceremony later this year on 16 November.

A ‘record-breaking’ 1456 entries have been received for this year’s Awards, with 223 projects and individuals reaching the final shortlist, making it the biggest awards programme in the award’s 43-year history. The high volume – and exceptional quality – of applications once again mirrors the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed within the UK’s healthcare networks.

Our project aimed to create a community of practice for healthcare professionals looking after patients with learning disabilities, autism or both. The purpose was to up-skill pharmacists working in primary care networks to conduct holistic structured medication reviews for individuals with those conditions. By providing extensive training and support, we gave pharmacists the confidence and knowledge to review the medication intake of patients with unique needs.

This national project not only identified the learning and development needs of pharmacists but also delivered a model of support and collected data to demonstrate its success. The positive feedback received from participants and users further validated the effectiveness of this model, making it an ideal candidate for wider implementation. The project is also a finalist at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards.

Jonathan Horgan, Director of Pharmacy Services at MLCSU, said:

“We are really pleased to have been shortlisted for another HSJ award. This is a testament to the staff and the partnership working with wider stakeholders who were part of this project. The team works incredibly hard and is always focused on improving patient care and reducing healthcare inequalities. As an NHS support organisation which works across wider organisations and borders, we want to have the widest impact and roll out best practice as much as possible. Getting recognition through awards helps us demonstrate the value and innovation we can bring to solve local problems. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony to celebrate the collective efforts and learn about the best examples contributing to improving healthcare this year.”

The event will not only reflect the HSJ Awards’ enduring ethos of “sharing best practice, improving patient outcomes and innovating drivers of better service” but will also serve as a timely and well-deserved thank you to the sector during the 75th anniversary year of the NHS.

The 2023 awards judging panel was once again made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including; Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive, Queen’s Nursing Institute; Dr Habib Naqvi MBE, Chief Executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory; Anne-Marie Vine-Lott, Director of Health, Vodafone; Sir Jim Mackey, National Director of Elective Recovery, NHS England, as well as a range of esteemed Chief Executives from NHS Trusts across the UK.

The full list of nominees for the 2023 HSJ awards can be found at https://awards.hsj.co.uk/ alongside details of the Awards partners at https://awards.hsj.co.uk/partners.