Doncaster and Bassetlaw Launch Collaborative Care Record System

Key Takeaways

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will implement the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record to connect patient data from various healthcare providers.
Access to the shared care record will be restricted to nominated healthcare professionals, enhancing patient history visibility and care coordination.
Involvement includes 13 NHS organizations in South Yorkshire and Humber, improving efficiency in care delivery across the region.

Implementation of the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has revealed plans to initiate the Yorkshire and Humber Care Record (YHCR), which will integrate patient records from hospitals, general practitioners (GPs), mental health services, and social care systems throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region. This integration is part of NHS England’s broader initiative, the Connecting Care Records (ConCR) project, which is scheduled for completion by March 2025. The YHCR will be supported by Interweave and is being deployed through the South Yorkshire Shared Care Record (SYSCR) program.

Mike Whiteside, the chief clinical information officer at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, emphasized the benefits for healthcare professionals. He stated that the new system will provide easier access to critical patient information, minimize delays in obtaining data, and improve collaboration among healthcare teams. A comprehensive view of each patient’s medical history will enable the reduction of duplicate records, streamline discharge plans, and enhance the quality and personalization of patient care.

To facilitate the rollout of the YHCR, the Trust has crafted a communication strategy aimed at informing and training staff across various teams and departments. Access to the shared care record will be limited to designated doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who can log in via their existing clinical portals. According to Whiteside, while patients do not need to take any action, they will have the opportunity to opt out of the shared record if they so desire.

In a related effort to enhance the YHCR’s functionality, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has integrated additional information sources, such as inpatient discharge summaries and outpatient letters. This upgrade aims to bolster the service’s utility for health professionals.

The SYSCR program currently sees participation from 13 local NHS organizations and authorities, encompassing areas like Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. Additionally, GP practices in Humber and North Yorkshire gained access to the regional shared care record via EMIS in September 2024, further extending the reach of the initiative.

Local authorities, including Sheffield City Council, and specialist care providers, such as Saint Catherine’s hospice in Scarborough, utilize the YHCR to access vital patient data, including medical history, allergies, medications, and end-of-life care preferences.

As part of ongoing efforts to modernize healthcare delivery, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust recently signed a three-year contract with Accurx for implementing a digital patient communication platform, replacing outdated paper-based systems. This new system went live on June 1, 2024, and is expected to enhance integrated healthcare services across Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Whitby, Scarborough, and Ryedale.

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