Birmingham and Solihull STP has announced plans to launch a Health Information Exchange (HIE) in the next few months.
The first phase of the platform will include GP practice records, basic information from secondary care, including hospitals, mental health and community services, radiology and pathology results and maternity records.
Following going live, information from community and social care, ambulance and NHS 111 services will be included.
The STP commented: “Our experience of working with COVID-19 has shown how important it is for the health and care professionals caring for a person to be able to see their information without delay. HIE will make a joined-up approach to health and care much more possible.”
Dr James Reed, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health FT and clinical lead for the HIE, said: “We know people want their health and care records to be available to all the professionals who care for them.”
“They tell us they don’t want to have to repeat their story each time they receive care at a different organisation. Bringing together information held by different services means they’ll no longer have to do this, as their up-do-date details will be immediately available to any professional directly involved in their care.”
“As a result, professionals will be able to make better-informed decisions that will improve outcomes for those receiving care across Birmingham and Solihull.”
“Co-ordinating knowledge in this way is a real step forward in the way we deliver care and treatment across Birmingham and Solihull. It underpins our drive to provide seamless care for everyone by integrating health and social care services.”
“But, most importantly, this will make care safer, particularly in an emergency when having vital information to hand can make all the difference when it comes to making the right decisions for someone.”
The STP launched a public engagement programme last month to provide people in the area the opportunity to share their views and to get involved in the future development of the initiative.
