Enhanced Technology

Enhanced Technology

North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group are developing a number of Enhanced Technology solutions for the optimised delivery of medical care to NEL patients, the goal of which is to provide the building blocks and tools for delivering an enhanced Primary Care Service.

There are a number of key projects at present:

1. Evaluation of Improved Earlier Screening Tools for Memory impairment.

The CCG are currently evaluating the use of the CantabMobile iPad based solution to see if the current process for the screening for Memory issues can be optimised.

Currently the process for memory screening is long winded, frequently paper based and focused around current events, it can also only currently be performed by a GP.

Cantab provides an alternative approach to traditional methods by using visual, sequence based cognitive memory tests, where sequences of patterns have to be remembered and matching pairs selected. As the test is fully App supported, through the use of many spoken language options, the patient can be accompanied by any staff member, not just a GP.

Several additional functions are also provided by the App, including a depression test and a living function test, e.g. can the patient go shopping unaided.

The CCG is also trialling the use of CantabMobile in pharmacies as Pharmacists might be the best placed to first notice a patient with memory problems. 

2. Clinical Video consultation Technology Evaluation

The CCG are about to commence a 12 month evaluation project of the use of personal video conference technology to deliver none face to face clinical consolations.

Some consultations don’t require a patient to be located in the same room as the GP they are seeing, and if no physical examination is required then the use of Video Consultations may provide a practical alternative.

High Definition video feeds between a GPs computer and the majority of internet connected consumer technology allow a patient to securely hold a discussion, remotely, and still provide a visual presence to each other.

It is expected that this technology won’t replace any existing consultation options but adds an extra layer of patient choice to support and improve a more flexible approach to patient care.  

3. Mobile Access to Clinical Records

The CCG is now able to offer mobile options for its 2 main Primary Care and Community Care systems. Patient Records are automatically synced to a mobile device allowing the clinician to read and update patient records whilst working away from the office.  

4. Enriched Dermatology records and enhanced data sharing to reduce unnecessary referrals

The CCG has successfully implemented the MediVisum system which allows a GP to enrich a clinical record by adding high resolution images of a skin wound directly into a patients record.

Once completed the image can then be stored for trend or change purposes or shared with a dermatology specialist, so that a decision on the requirement to refer the individual can be made without a further meeting taking place.