The latest strategy from University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust lists digital and data as enablers of success with a “new continuous improvement approach” planned to drive large-scale transformation, underpinned by programmes including digital and technology.
UHL notes the “positive impact” that digital can have in people’s daily lives and highlights aspirations to “replicate this in the way we run services”. Plans include re-wiring hospitals to embed mobile technology with the aim of eliminating paper records; collaborating with suppliers to introduce innovative technologies; enabling artificial intelligence real-time decision support tools; and continuing work to introduce virtual wards and remote monitoring technologies in areas such as diabetes and cardiology.
The strategy goes on to share how a new data platform has recently been launched at the trust, bringing “a wealth of anonymised information together” to support advancements in research, innovation, care planning and the tackling of health inequalities. Alongside the platform, UHL aims to modernise IT infrastructure and cyber security.
Data is one of five key principles underpinning planned work around health inequalities and disease prevention, with the trust noting a need to focus on data to highlight disparities and guide “targeted, clinically relevant change where it is most needed”. Also on data, UHL highlights intentions to “continually explore emerging ways of working” including through digitally-enabled care and smart buildings, with the strategy outlining aims to streamline systems with consolidated records and “comprehensive” data-sharing, including through connected medical devices and diagnostic equipment.
UHL provides an update on its involvement in the New Hospitals Programme, stating that through the programme a multi-million pound investment is being made into “modern and accessible facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and digital technology”. The strategy shares insight into the trust’s aims by 2030, including plans for a new women’s and family health hospital, a dedicated children’s hospital and expanded intensive care facilities.
The strategy can be accessed in full here.
HTN previously reported on the news that UHL partnered with Independent Provider Pioneer Wound Healing and Lymphedema Centres to utilise virtual wards to prevent and treat pressure ulcers, to allow hospital teams to upload images for remote assessment.
Last summer we also shared an update on the last phase of the trust’s EPR programme as it went live.
On strategies, we have recently covered the 2024-2030 strategy from Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board which focuses on data-driven decision-making; and the strategy from North Cumbria Integrated Care, which highlights a need to increase digital connectivity.
