Our aims
- Give quick and easy access to health and care services, with you in control and able to see your own records
- Make it easy to book an appointment with, and talk to, a GP or other healthcare professional
- Enable healthcare professionals to provide better treatment and care by improving information systems and the sharing of records
Digital technology has brought benefits that are now part of everyday life. It has given us greater control over how and when we do anything, from shopping and banking to learning and communicating.
With this has come an expectation to access and receive services quickly and easily, whenever we want.
It’s no different when it comes to health and care services.
This is why we want to make the best use of technology and give local people help and support at their convenience, rather than ours.
It means being able to book appointments with a your GP online; not having to physically go to a surgery or hospital every time you need help; and being able to view your own records. Our aim is to put you in the driving seat.
Improvements to information systems and the sharing of records will allow health and care organisations to work more closely together. It will eliminate unnecessary tests and stop you having to keep telling us about any medication you might be taking.
Doctors and other care professionals will be better placed to help prevent illness and give you the most appropriate and timely care should you need it. With better access to clinical data, and details of any hereditary illness, they will be able to detect any potential problems much sooner – increasing your chances of avoiding illness completely or recovering more quickly.
We also plan to introduce digital technology to allow doctors and healthcare professionals provide more care in local communities – something that will also reduce the pressure on hospitals.
Digital devices, such as those that can monitor your heart via a smartphone, will enable you to care for yourself in the comfort of your own home, yet remain in constant touch with expert help and support, should it be needed.
Digital outpatient services – virtual clinics that allow a consultant to assess a patient’s records to decide if they actually need to visit hospital, or if the GP can take the required action – are also being introduced.
Finally, more information will be made available on how to avoid ill health, especially online and through digital apps. This includes improvements to the national NHS website, as well as local initiatives like the MyMindApp , developed by North East London NHS Foundation Trust and GP websites.
Achievements
- Increased access to Shared Records (eLPR) throughout 2017/18, reaching around 82,000 in January 2018. Three councils, and all east London NHS Trusts are now connected. eLPR has become core part of many clinicians toolkit.
- eLPR benefits study published.
- Discovery east London programme launched covering five east London boroughs
- Nominated as the leading organisation for the One London programme (one of five local Health and Care Record Exemplars LHCRE granted £7.5m to develop further)
- Coordinated roll-out of e-referrals across all eight local authorities and trust hospital sites