Better information, better health

Working with nurses, midwives and health visitors to create

a better, modern, efficient NHS

Technology will never replace the art of nursing, that vital human touch, but new systems will help us deliver better patient care and safety

“ “Susan Osborne CBE

Joint National Clinical Lead for Nurses NHS Connecting for Health

NHS vision for the future

• More choice and control for patients

• Health service “designed around the patient”

• Secure access to up-to-date, accurate health and care information, whenever and wherever it is needed

• Accurate information for clinical audit and research that will improve service delivery

New IT will help deliver the vision

• NHS Care Records Service

• Choose and Book

• Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions

• N3 network for the NHS

• National email and directory service

• Picture Archiving and Communications Systems

• IT supporting GPs

The new technology is vital in supporting nurses as the profession develops and care is given in new settings

“ “Barbara Stuttle CBENational Clinical Lead for Nursing Director of Primary Care & Modernisation, Thurrock PCT, Essex

Benefits for you

Secure, easy, access to information about your patients

Information whenever you need it - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Benefits for you

Less administration

Less chasing information

Less repetitive form filling

More time to focus on patient care

Benefits for you

Better communications between all members of the care team

Smoother handovers of care

Better communications between primary and secondary care

Benefits for you

Fewer errors due to illegible handwriting

Information only needs to be keyed in once

Benefits for you

Increased safety in prescribing and dispensing

Warnings about possible drug reactions

Benefits for you

Immediate access to key information in an emergency

Information available on the move and in the community

Benefits for you

Better communications – better follow up care

Easy, secure access to hospital discharge notes and patient information for nurses in the community

Benefits for you

Online decision support tools

Easier access to best care pathways

Faster access to specialist opinions and diagnosis

Patients benefit too

• Easier, secure access to their own health and care information

• Faster, safer diagnosis and treatment

• Faster, easier, more convenient way to make hospital appointments

• Safer way to obtain medication

Working with you

• Service Implementation team – working to help your organisation exploit the potential of new technology

• Clinical leads – leading engagement with nurses and all the professions

• National training materials, tools and techniques

• National Knowledge Service providing the best current medical knowledge which can be combined with patients’ needs and preferences

Involving you

Susan Osborne and Barbara Stuttle Joint National Clinical Leads for Nurses

NHS Connecting for Health

We’re making sure you are involved at every stage in designing the new computer systems and developing new working practices

“ “