Our Wave 2 Test Bed Programme tackles these issues together. Support staff can use digital tools both to transform the help they give to patients and to support self-management. We are testing three enhanced, digitally enabled roles for support staff, which both increase skills and productivity and improve outcomes and experiences for patients.
DIGITAL PRESCRIBERS
Working with primary care across Barking and Dagenham, we will enable healthcare assistants and care navigators to make digital prescriptions simply and effectively, building their skills and confidence and reducing the burden on GPs. Our innovation partners include:
- Liva – A digital platform connecting patients and health professionals to drive behaviour change
- Sleepio – Proven digital intervention for sleeplessness
EXPERT CARERS
Working with domiciliary carers and care homes across the Borough of Havering, we will build skills and confidence in using digital technology to spot deterioration among patients with long-term conditions early and to support better management of medication. Our innovation partners include:
- Whzan – Digital measurement of vital signs
- Healthy.io – Digital urine analysis
ADMINISTRATOR PATIENT SUPPORTERS
Working with Barts Health NHS Trust, we will work to automate and improve appointment booking within the heart failure pathway. We will support Barts to use digital tools to better engage patients, supporting education and exercise between appointments. Our innovation partners include:
- TickerFit – Digital programmes of education and exercise for heart failure
We have already had some success of trialling and introducing technologies as part of our participation in Wave 1 of the Test Bed Programme.
FOR THOSE AT RISK OF STROKE
Evidence suggests that the new Atrial Fibrillation pathway we launched in Barking, Dagenham and Redbridge alongside Kardiamobile as part of our NHSE and OLS Wave 1 Test Bed, that enables direct referral to a one-stop clinic at Barts Health is quicker. The time for a patient to access treatment has been reduced from an average of twelve weeks nationally, down to 2-3 weeks. Further evidence suggests it also has the potential to prevent 1,600 strokes nationwide.
Building on this success and recognition by the AF Association with entry into the Healthcare Pioneers Report 2018, the BHR Provider Alliance committed to rolling out our Atrial Fibrillation Pathway across Barking, Havering and Redbridge, working with local community pharmacies and hospitals to find and treat AF and prevent strokes through opportunistic screening in community pharmacies across BHR. The BHR ambition is to reduce the numbers of AF related strokes by 20% (1,003) in the next 3 years.
