Building an integration strategy to support the patient, staff and future

With many disparate business systems supported by multiple vendors, rising costs and lengthy development cycles, Southend Hospital NHS Trust needed to rethink its IT integration strategy

Healthcare in the UK was knocked for six when the government announced there would be major changes to bring the NHS IT infrastructure up to date under the new National Programme plans for 'joined up' patient care.

Southend Hospital NHS Trust was facing the challenges of meeting integration targets for the National Programme and its situation was typical of many of its counterparts.  The Trust recognised that technology was to play an increasingly vital role in equipping staff with the information they need to enhance patient care and it was an issue they were keen to tackle.

The National Programme's objectives rely heavily on the integration of NHS data silos.  To enable this an integration language and format is necessary - HL7, a government standard for the exchange, management and integration of clinical patient information that enables flexibility and interoperability framework. e-GIF is another standard focused on coherence and interoperability across the entire public sector.  Standardised data would bring one common view of patient information and better care  for the public.  For the Trust, integration would bring the added advantage of dealing with just one vendor.

If you would like further information about our work at Southend Hospital NHS Trust please click on the pdf. link below.

Building an integration strategy to support the patient, staff and future