A new health and wellbeing strategy spanning 2024-2030 has been published by Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board, highlighting digital and data as key enablers and pledging to “improve the extent, quality, and accessibility of digital infrastructure and more effectively generate insight from data to inform decision making.”
The partnership initiative includes the local ICB, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Health Foundation Trust, GP practices and various other organisations.
The strategy shares an aim to “securely provide the right information and insight to the right professional and residents at the right time”, and states that in order to achieve this, data must be better processed, organised and analysed in order to deliver intelligence and insights. Additionally, the document notes a need to increasingly digitise and automate collection of information along with its management, processing and reporting, as part of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
It goes on to set out ten main ambitions for the region, to be achieved by 2030. These are to implement an integrated intelligence function across NHS and local councils; to extend and optimise community and mental health records; to ensure digital care records for all CQC registered social care providers; to develop a digital inclusion charter unifying how VCS, local authorities and NHS bodies support people; to develop data and digital skills; to ensure secured and connected data infrastructure; and for technical innovation to improve efficiency and outcomes, such as VR headsets enabling delivery of care closer to home. Digital is also to play a role in the delivery of more advanced research methods to help identify people at greater risk, and in a health and inequalities research strategy.
Looking at ambitions around children’s health, as an immediate action the board commits to the provision of a “safe and anonymous” digital platform for children and young people’s wellbeing, through which they can discuss topics such as anxiety and self-esteem with the aim of sharing experiences and enabling peer support.
On the topic of care around ageing, the strategy highlights plans to provide digital support for virtual connection and improved digital skills.
The strategy can be accessed in full here.
Last week, we reported on the news that Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB is inviting the public to have their say on its draft primary care strategy via an online survey, with priorities within the strategy including improving patient access, developing proactive and personalised care in the community, and to use data to target need and support prevention.
In news from Oxford University Hospitals, the trial of an AI tool let to clinicians altering treatment plans for more than 300 patients, and an app called ‘Let’s Talk Clots’ has been launched with the aim of providing information on how to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot and supporting people in recovery.
