Wye Valley NHS Trust has shared a series of digital updates and priorities during its April board meeting, highlighting upcoming EPR and patient portal procurements, expanded use of the Federated Data Platform, and ongoing adoption of AI and ambient voice technology.
“Wye Valley’s journey from digital immaturity to maturity has been rapid and must be consolidated, maximising existing assets, improving interoperability, innovating continuously and safely, based upon the needs of our patients and staff,” the trust states.
With the end of the second contract for its EPR imminent, a business case is being developed for re-procurement, with aims of testing the market and ensuring delivery of Minimum Digital Foundations, the trust reports. It also notes that the current patient portal, which saw “strong uptake”, is now end of life, with ambitions to procure a new product in 2026/27 and take more services online.
The trust has tested and adopted AVT across outpatient services and certain admin roles, it updates, with 25 Heidi Ambient AI licences for acute floor clinicians procured, and the use of AI in diagnostics, such as in stroke identification. An AI working group will continue to explore and implement emerging technologies. It points to work with partners on implementing a number of modules in the FDP where there is alignment with strategic priorities.
Wye Valley also outlines plans to support the workforce in adapting to “increasingly hybrid, virtual, and automated environments”, citing the need to focus on digital literacy and data competence to support staff in being confident in using technology. Roles will be designed around digitally-enabled pathways, including the introduction of smart and AI-assisted tools, and a focus will be placed on reducing unnecessary administrative tasks.
Working on digital interoperability will be central to neighbourhood health and pathway improvements, according to the trust, enabling clinicians to access an overview of the patient journey. “The County is fortunate that all of its GP practices use EMIS and the Trust’s community services use Community EMIS but it is still a significant task to ensure that important patient data is available to everyone involved in the patient’s care,” it adds.
Wider trend: Digital transformation in NHS Trusts
The first instalment of HTN’s Trust Region Series has taken a deep dive into what’s happening with digital and data across the South East region. Included are details of digital strategies, plans and priorities, innovations, and insights from trusts across the South East.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has awarded a ten-year EPR contract with a value of £52 million to Epic, taking the trust up to 2036. The trust’s board in its January meeting covered the board assurance framework, noting issues with IT infrastructure, digital maturity, and technical debt. “Lewisham and Greenwich NHS has had a phased roll out over several years of its existing EPR system which has left the trust with a partially deployed EPR for acute services and a separate community EPR with only 80 percent of our clinical systems integrated and linked to the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Patient Master Index,” it stated.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust has published a new strategy to 2031 with focuses on embracing innovation and taking advantage of opportunities from digital and data to better coordinate care, improve clinical decision support, and gain insight into demand. Endeavouring to embed continuous improvement and innovation for a sustainable future, the service sets out areas of focus including a move toward digital, data, and tech-enabled care, relying on digital tools, strong data, and innovations to improve services for patients.
