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An Exploration of Tech’s Capacity to Improve Wellbeing & Health Equality
Wellbeing - Improve health and wellbeing and improve community integration.
Mandy Rayner was the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) during the challenging era of COVID-19. The global pandemic brought forth glaring disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, prompting a closer examination of patient data and demographics. In an enlightening conversation we explored the topic of wellbeing, health inequalities and Mandy’s insights into how technology, specifically Electronic Patient Records (EPRs), played a pivotal role in facilitating access to healthcare.
Implementing a Prioritisation Tool:
Mandy emphasised the importance of utilising technology to improve the wellbeing of NHS staff and patients and how these outcomes could be a by-product of improving operational efficiency. For example, in close collaboration with Mandy's team at CHFT and The Health Informatics Service (THIS), St. Vincent's contributed to the development and deployment of a prioritisation tool known as the Cancelled Appointments MPage.
The tool identified patients on the waiting list for appointments who:
- Had a duplicate appointment booked.
- Has since had an appointment.
- Are on the waiting list multiple times in the same speciality.
The data-driven validation process was designed to tackle the backlog of overdue follow-up appointments, a challenge that nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. By November 2023, the tool successfully eliminated 9,767 unnecessary appointment requests, potentially saving £1.5 million. This initiative not only had significant financial benefits but also positively impacted staff and patient wellbeing. Although initially not intended as a solution to address wellbeing, the validation team experienced increased satisfaction as they could effectively address data quality issues contributing to the backlog, thus making a tangible difference to the trust’s performance and patient care. By reducing unnecessary appointments, vital slots could be freed up for patients in urgent need, thereby reducing waiting times and facilitating clinic scheduling. This improved time management for both booking staff and clinicians, alleviating stress and allowing them to focus more on patient care.
The Power of Electronic Patient Records (EPR):
In our conversation, Mandy also discussed the topic of health inequalities. Mandy explained that the NHS Trust's ability to comprehend and respond to health inequalities was significantly enhanced by the adoption of a sophisticated EPR. Real-time data capture allowed them to discern patterns, revealing that ethnic minorities and vulnerable populations, particularly those in more deprived areas, were not receiving adequate access to healthcare services.
The EPR then became a transformative tool, enabling targeted interventions to support those in need. Mandy's Success Story:
Mandy shared a remarkable success story, where the Trust was able to harness their data to identify 84 priority patients using the structured data capture within the EPR. Subsequently, all patients were contacted, seen by healthcare professionals and put on a care pathway within two weeks of identification. This proactive intervention ensured that vulnerable individuals received timely care and support, a powerful example of the potential impact technology can have on health inequalities.
Collaboration and Data Sharing:
Recognising the paramount importance of collaboration, Mandy emphasised how data sharing with West Yorkshire partners broadened their success story. By sharing insights into what EPR data was being captured, they enabled other Trusts to capture similar data, even if they lacked sophisticated EPR systems. The collaborative effort evolved into a West Yorkshire initiative, setting an example for broader, national strategies to tackle health disparities.
Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Health Equity:
Mandy candidly acknowledged that a key challenge when looking to improve health equity is digital inclusion, highlighting that the most significant barrier is often the difficulty in contacting vulnerable populations. The sheer demand on healthcare services and the lack of consistent digital tools across the NHS is an added complexity. Furthermore, language barriers emerged as a key challenge, as Mandy noted that the absence of translators can lead to delays in appointments and hinder effective communication with patients.
Mandy also shared her thoughts on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome language barriers. She suggested AI could play a crucial role by providing real-time translation services. With AI-driven translation tools, healthcare providers could communicate with patients in their native languages, leading to clear and effective communication without the need for human translators. This innovative approach has the potential to streamline processes, reduce delays in appointments, and improve overall healthcare access for linguistically diverse populations. Mandy's forward-thinking perspective underscores the importance of leveraging cutting-edge technology to address complex challenges in healthcare delivery.
Mandy further highlighted the plight of elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding digital access. As healthcare services transitioned to digital platforms during the pandemic, many elderly individuals faced significant challenges in accessing and understanding these technologies. Limited digital literacy and technological infrastructure compounded the issue, exacerbating health inequalities among the elderly population. Mandy emphasised the importance of ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, by implementing user-friendly digital solutions and providing necessary support and guidance to navigate digital platforms effectively. Addressing these disparities remains critical to promoting health equity and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
The Future of Health Inequalities:
Looking ahead, Mandy stressed the imperative to continue exploring innovative solutions for improving access to healthcare. From leveraging technology for remote consultations to tailoring approaches based on individual needs, the focus should remain on breaking down barriers and creating equitable healthcare access. Mandy’s rich experience serves as a testament to the transformative power of technology when strategically applied to address healthcare challenges.
Key Takeaway:
As highlighted by Mandy’s insights, the benefits of embracing technology on wellbeing and health access can’t be overlooked. Mandy emphasises the importance of integrating structured Electronic Patient Records (EPR), which facilitate real-time data capture and lay the groundwork for targeted interventions aimed at ensuring fair access to healthcare. The accomplishments in identifying and assisting vulnerable populations during and after the pandemic underscore the pivotal role of data and technology in shaping a more inclusive and adaptable healthcare system. Looking ahead, Mandy's experiences powerfully advocate for embracing the benefits new technologies can bring to deliver meaningful outcomes for NHS staff, patients, and healthcare.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
Annie Collings
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
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