North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating after winning a prestigious regional award.
The digital programme team attended the Skills Development Network hosted by North East and North Cumbria’s regional digital conference, which included a gala awards event.
Trophy
As the trophies were handed out, the North Tees and Hartlepool team was announced as the winner of the Digital, Data and Technology Team of the Year award.
Proud
Marie Collingwood-Graham, head of digital programmes, attended the ceremony.
She said: “We were absolutely thrilled when our name was called out.
“Digital projects are all about improving patient care, ensuring the right information is available at the right time to all involved in our patients’ care and enhancing the overall patient experience. Working with our clinical colleagues, we identify a problem and look for a technical solution. We see a problem that needs tackling, such as the use of paper, and we develop a solution.
“But in order to bring about that solution, we solve multiple problems along the way as it’s not just about digitising like-for-like but improving processes and data flows. The team never gives up and always looks for innovative, creative solutions.
“I’m just so proud that the team’s hard work and commitment has been recognised.”
The award citation noted: “The digital programme team at North Tees has made incredible strides in transforming patient care through innovation and dedication.
“Notably, they’ve digitised the nurse admissions process, reducing 10,500 nursing hours previously spent on paperwork and saving over £76,000 on ink, paper and printing.
“The trust’s achievements haven’t stopped there. The implementation of electronic observations and sepsis screening tools, in collaboration with InterSystems’ TrakCare electronic patient record system, has led to a 36% reduction in sepsis cases, saving lives and improving patient safety.”
Working hand-in-hand
Clinical change lead Joe Telford commented: “The team has worked incredibly hard to implement a host of digital improvements throughout the trust. They work hand-in-hand with clinicians to ensure every new item of innovative technology not only helps assist our clinical teams, but also benefits patients.
“This team’s work has directly helped reduce cases of sepsis. Our patients may never meet one our digital team, but they are benefiting from their work and skill every day.”