Derbyshire Healthcare chosen as finalists for not one but three national HSJ awards

Derbyshire Healthcare has a long history and appetite to improve the use of digital systems to better health outcomes through efficiency of resources, clinical safety, and patient experience. In 2018, the Trust procured £3 million Government funding to implement a future proof EPR System. The successful rollout has ensured clinical systems are integrated, standardised, safe and transparent, resulting in consistent patient care pathways. 

It is important that end-users find EPRs easy to use, aligning with the best clinical practice. Ultimately, this has provided better access to digital tools, improving the planning and delivery of services based on patient and population data.

Derbyshire Healthcare’s school nursing team, in partnership with The Lancaster Model (TLM) and Aire Innovate Limited, have transformed their practice by digitising their Health Needs Assessments through TLM’s evidence-based platform. Thishas enabled the team to shift from a reactive safeguarding/firefighting service to a proactive child centred public health service.

Up to date, 15,643 assessments have been completed with 17,583 indicators of need identified, which have been met quicker, ensuring the delivery of true early intervention and prevention.

The project has captured digital innovation and set a benchmark for sustainable, scalable public health services.

Derbyshire Healthcare’s school nursing team, in partnership with The Lancaster Model (TLM) and Aire Innovate Limited, have transformed the way they find out about children's health needs in the city of Derby. They have digitised the Health Needs Assessments process, using a digital questionnaire to find out about children and young people's health at various ages.

The survey results help the school nursing team to plan services for the future for all children, and to give each child the health and wellbeing support they need as early as possible. If a child raises any concerns in the questionnaire, the team will contact them or their parents or carers to discuss and offer support, directing them to other services as appropriate. After completing the questionnaire, each young person is given more information to take home and share with their parents or carers, on the topics they’ve been asked about.

Through the questionnaire, the team have heard from 85% of Year 6 students, 70% of Year 9 students and, in a pilot, 94% of a group of Year 12s, revealing a range of potential health needs that can now be addressed more quickly. 

The digitalised needs assessment data is automatically analysed and made coherent within the digital solution, to provide a wealth of up-to-date clear information to direct interventions. 

The approach has enabled the team to shift from a reactive safeguarding/firefighting service to a proactive child centred public health service. 

The project has set a benchmark for sustainable, scalable public health services.