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“Making the prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines everywhere in Wales, easier, safer, more efficient and effective, for patients and professionals,
through digital.”
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WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE DIGITAL MEDICINES TRANSFORMATION PORTFOLIO NEWSLETTER
July 2023
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Here you’ll find the most up-to-date news about the programmes and projects within the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio (DMTP), including how we are aiming to deliver benefits to patients and healthcare professionals across Wales.
DMTP co-ordinates four connected areas of work:
- the delivery of an Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) in primary care,
- the implementation of an electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) on every ward in every hospital in Wales
- the development of a Shared Medicines Record and
- medicines functionality in the NHS Wales App.
This edition includes a focus on the work we are doing to see useful information and services about medicines included in the NHS Wales App. We are working closely with the Digital Services for Patients and the Public team, who are developing the App, to help individuals manage their medicines using their smartphone, a tablet or computer.
This will include ordering and managing repeat prescriptions, getting notification that medicines are ready to collect and viewing lists of current and past medications. Find out more below!
You can sign up to our newsletter and view all previous editions here. We hope you enjoy this edition...
HAPPY READING!
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The NHS Wales App will help patients access healthcare services such as ordering repeat prescriptions and booking appointments with a GP practice. Our work is all about supporting the development of specific services related to medicines, to help patients manage their medication and healthcare better.
We chat to Project Support Manager Benjamin Sendell to find out more about the App and how it will help patients in Wales.
Q: What is the NHS Wales App?
The NHS Wales App offers people access to a range of health and care services through their smartphone, tablet and via the website. For example, people in Wales will be able to view their health records, book appointments, see test results, order prescriptions and share information with health and care professionals via the NHS Wales App, providing their GP has enabled these features in their practice.
The Patient Access project has been supporting medicines-related features within the App. This includes the ability to order and manage repeat prescriptions and view lists of past and current medications.
It will also enable patients to nominate the pharmacy they would like their prescription to be electronically sent to from their GP practice. This work is connected to the Portfolio’s work to implement an Electronic Prescription Service in Wales. The App is also looking at being able to send a ‘push ready notification’ feature that will let patients know when their prescription is ready to collect from their chosen pharmacy.
Q: Is the App available yet?
The NHS Wales App has been available to download in the App store, Google Play and via the NHS Wales App since April 17 2023. It is currently linked to a small number of GP practices across Wales to enable it to be tested with the public to ensure it works and is meeting their needs. We expect patients in all GP practices to be able to access services via the app by March 2024. If services at your surgery are not yet accessible, you can still download the App and register your interest, and you will be notified when your GP practice has adopted the App.
Q: How will the App benefit patients?
The aim of the NHS Wales App is to empower patients and the public to be responsible for their health and wellbeing. It will provide access to health and care services, and support providers to deliver joined-up health and care.
The medicines feature within the NHS Wales App will also help patients to have a better understanding of their medicines, remove the need to visit the GP practice to request repeat prescriptions, and potentially reduce waiting times in pharmacies, due to notifications when prescriptions are ready to collect.
Other benefits include the ability to:
- Share and receive important health information
- Enable patients and the public to take an active part in their own health and wellbeing
- Help patients and the public to better manage their condition and medicines
Q: Why do we need an NHS App in Wales?
NHS Wales is transforming health and care for patients and the public in Wales through the creation of new digital health services. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital health and care services and support has grown. The NHS Wales App will allow patients and the public to become more involved in their own health and care by being able to access health and care information in a more convenient way.
Q: What support will be available for people who don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to use digital services?
We know that many people are not able or do not want to use digital services and so we are making sure they can still access these services as they did before we had the NHS Wales App. Digital Communities Wales is working with us to train Digital Champions to help patients and the public to be able to use the App in local areas. We have developed digital inclusion surveys for patients and the public to understand their needs, access to devices and broadband, and help them to find support in their local community.
Q: What is the best thing about working on this project?
The best thing about working on the Patient Access project is the real difference the App will make to patients. It represents such an exciting change to the way they can access their health and care. I feel very privileged to be part of such an important development that will transform services for patients and the public across Wales.
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Technical and clinical safety tests of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) begin
Technical and clinical safety tests of EPS are currently underway with clinicians. It will move into a live environment with one GP practice and one community pharmacy in North Wales once this safety assurance is completed. We are making good progress and we expect live testing to start by October 2023. However, this does depend on successful completion of the necessary assurance processes that we are carrying out at the moment.
We are working closely with key stakeholders to plan the national phased roll out of the service as quickly and safely as possible. This depends on GP and Community Pharmacy IT system providers making the changes needed in their systems to use EPS in Wales.
To support this, we have established the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund to provide grants to suppliers of community pharmacy systems for innovative developments of their systems to use EPS, be able to receive the electronic transfer of prescriptions and to reduce the need for paper in pharmacies. Two suppliers have been awarded grants to develop their systems and four other applications are being reviewed.
You can read more about the Innovation Fund here.
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Procurement process begins for electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration systems
The procurement process for electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) systems in secondary care in Wales has started, with Cardiff and Vale UHB and Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB both publishing their Invitations to Tender (ITT). Cardiff and Vale UHB’s ITT closed in June and the responses from the suppliers are currently being evaluated. Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s ITT is due to close in early August.
ePMA represents the biggest change to hospital prescribing in decades and will bring new systems into every ward in every hospital in Wales. It will see an end to paper charts at the end of beds and give doctors and nurses the information they need at a push of a button. Three ePMA systems have been approved for use, with the suppliers - Better UK, System C and Nervecentre – being awarded onto an NHS framework contract last year.
ePMA Programme Manager Louise Gregory said: “It’s exciting that this process has started and that other health boards across Wales will soon be submitting their Invitations to Tender. This is a collaborative process across Wales, and we look forward to sharing lessons and learning from each other as we go forward.”
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New SRO appointed to the Secondary Care ePMA programme
Bringing a wealth of experience from more than 30 years in nursing, Dr. Lesley Jones has been appointed following interview as Senior Responsible Officer for the Secondary Care ePrescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) programme.
She will also continue as Head of Nursing for Professional Standards and Digital in Hywel Dda University Health Board, dividing her time between the two roles.
Passionate about technology for improvement, Lesley will have oversight of the programme and will develop and nurture partnerships with health professionals across NHS Wales and industry suppliers.
Read more about Lesley here.
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Shared Medicines Record remains on track
Work to develop the first ever Shared Medicines Record (SMR) in Wales, which will store in one single place the medicines and allergy information of each patient, is making good progress. A technical proof of concept (TPOC) in collaboration with the National Data Resource (NDR) programme was completed successfully in March, proving that medicines information can be extracted safely from key systems such as GPs’ records and then stored in a standard format. Now the team is working on developing the Medicines and Allergies Application Programme Interfaces (APIs). In June the SMR project received a letter of support from the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) Wales in relation to accessing and using GP data for the SMR.
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Gateway 0 Review
In March 2023, DMTP SRO Hamish Laing invited Welsh Government to carry out a Gateway 0 Review of the Portfolio to ensure that it is set up correctly to deliver a successful transformation programme that will see all the benefits we expect for patients and healthcare professionals across Wales.
The review, which took place over four days in June, focused on the progress made since the Portfolio was launched and looked at leadership, governance arrangements, finances, effective management of programmes and projects within its scope. It also looked at how well it works with other key programmes in Digital Health and Care Wales and the wider NHS in Wales.
As part of the review, interviews took place with over 20 key stakeholders, and a report and feedback has been provided to the Portfolio. This provided us with a high assurance rating (Amber/Green) for our governance and processes, and said we were set up to be likely to succeed in delivering our outcomes.
Professor Hamish Laing said: “We are delighted to have this endorsement and will be following up on the assessment teams recommendations for how to strengthen the Portfolio further.”
Further reviews are planned for the projects, programmes and Portfolio over the next 12 months.
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We have welcomed a number of new colleagues to DMTP recently – and also said goodbye to two members of the team who have gained promotions!
Here are some of our new starters:
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Louise Gregory,
Secondary Care ePMA Programme Manager
Joined DMTP: June 2023
Prior to joining DHCW, I worked for Public Health Wales for close to ten years in project/programme manager roles, mainly in pathology. I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone now and into the world of Digital Meds!
The best thing about my job is being part of something that is so transformational for the people of Wales. I love working at a national level and getting to meet so many colleagues out in the health boards and trusts.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and our two boys - and drinking lots of coffee!
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Benjamin Sendell,
Project Support Manager, Patient Access and Shared Medicines Record
Joined DMTP: April 2023
I have project management experience in accounting, Mergers and Acquisitions, process improvement and pharmaceuticals.
The best thing about my job is being able to work on new patient-facing technology.
Outside of work, I spend my time volunteering with the NSPCC’s Childline as a volunteer counsellor and I also love exploring Gower. I have a cockapoo who loves springing around on all the beaches!
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Santhi Kankath Poovakat,
Test Analyst, ePMA Programme
Joined DMTP: April 2023
Before working for DMTP I was a Test Analyst with Tata Consultancy Services. I have eight years’ experience in testing services and five years in AS400 development.
The best thing about my job is the friendly and professional project team and the hybrid working pattern.
Outside of work I love travel and food. One of the most memorable destinations that I have been is Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India, where our hotel had breathtaking views of the mountains. Small treks through the nearby villages were a great way to enjoy nature. I also love Indian food, and Malabar style biriyani is one of my favourites.
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Harriet Marfell,
Test Team Principal, ePMA Programme
Joined DMTP: March 2023
I started working for DHCW in 2017 when it was known as NWIS. I have been lucky to work with many teams and projects, such as the Welsh Immunisation System (WIS) and the Single Record Test Team.
The best thing about my job is the variety and working with new people and teams. I like the versatile nature of testing, as it allows me to continually develop new skills and knowledge within new areas, projects and systems.
Outside of work, I love spending time with friends and family. I enjoy yoga and walking up mountains, and I am fortunate to live close to lovely walks.
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We would also like to say a big thank you and good luck to Rebecca Jelley and Paul Burland, who left DMTP in June to move onto new roles. Rebecca, our ePMA Project Support Manager, is now a Project Manager in Swansea Bay UHB’s Digital Team, whilst Paul, who was our EPS Project Support Manager, has become a Project Manager in the Primary Care Services Planning and Coordination Team. We wish them both much success in their future work! | |
DMTP EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENT | |
Digital health plays a key role in NHS 75 event at the Senedd | |
DMTP took part in a Welsh NHS Confederation event at the Senedd on July 5 to mark 75 years of the NHS. Professor Hamish Laing, Senior Responsible Owner for the Portfolio, joined colleagues from Digital Health and Care Wales to showcase DMTP work in The Future of Health and Care exhibition.
Read more about the Senedd event here.
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DMTP at the Bevan Commission Conference | |
The use of digital technology was at the forefront of a breakout session run by DMTP and DHCW at the Bevan Commission conference earlier this month.
Held at the Celtic Manor Resort on July 5-6, the conference – entitled The Tipping Point: Where next for health and care? – brought together around 400 international experts and senior leaders to talk about the steps needed to rebuild health and social care systems in a modern world. Our 40-minute breakout session was at full capacity as delegates came to find out how digital technology can address some of these challenges and transform patient care and experiences.
DMTP also took part in the conference exhibition, which was a good opportunity to talk to delegates about the work we are doing. Professor Hamish Laing, DMTP Senior Responsible Owner, said: “The time has come to think and act differently. The NHS is facing unprecedented challenges and digital technology can play an important part in overcoming them. Digital Services, like the work we are doing in the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio, can make care safer, more effective and more efficient. It can support people to manage their own health better and clinicians to do their jobs more easily.”
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Innovation and collaboration at MediWales Connects | |
DMTP Programme Lead Laurence James joined colleagues from DHCW for a digital transformation session at the MediWales Connects conference in Cardiff last month. Held at the All Nations Centre, the conference brought together NHS colleagues from across Wales, local companies and professionals from the wider health and care sector, to share clinical innovation in practice to improve patient outcomes.
Laurence said: “We were delighted to be part of the MediWales Connect 2023 conference, to raise the profile of the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio (DMTP) and share its role in transforming and improving the way medicines will be prescribed, dispensed and administered in Wales. As well as showcasing our work, we had the opportunity to connect and learn from other industries, all of which reinforced the need to adopt new digital technologies to meet the challenges healthcare is facing in Wales today.”
Read more about MediWales Connects here.
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Meet the Supplier event, Cardiff City Stadium | |
More than 80 healthcare professionals from health boards across Wales and Velindre Cancer Centre came together for our ‘meet the supplier’ national showcase event for digital hospital prescribing and medicines administration.
We hosted the event at Cardiff City Stadium in May to provide an opportunity to hear from the three suppliers of electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) systems approved for use in hospitals in Wales. The suppliers are Better UK, System C (previously known as CareFlow) and Nervecentre. When introduced, the use of the latest digital technology will make the whole process of prescribing, administering and dispensing medicines in hospitals safer, easier and more efficient.
Lesley Jones, Secondary Care ePMA Programme SRO, said: “This event was a great opportunity for the people who will be using and introducing the new technology in our hospitals to learn more about the digital solutions available and to use this information to inform local decisions. Partnership is at the heart of the Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio, so we were delighted to be able to host this Meet the Supplier event.”
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An audience with Swansea Bay University Health Board | |
A key learning event to support the planned introduction of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) into NHS Wales hospitals took place at Cardiff City Stadium on May 25, 2023. Over 100 people attended the event which focused on findings from the pathfinder implementation of an ePrescribing and Medicines Administration solution across two hospitals in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
The implementation team from Swansea Bay UHB shared their insights and experiences about implementing the system and what this was like from a planning, technical, pharmacy, nursing and clinical perspective.
Tracey Bell, Swansea Bay UHB Head of Digital Planning for Planned Care and Community, said, “It was great to be able to share what we have learned and experienced. We have seen how using more technology in a patient’s care has a positive impact and supports clinicians and pharmacists. It helps clinicians get the right medications to the right patients at the right time, which is a vital part of a patient’s care. It also puts data at the fingertips of the clinician, improving decision making and patient safety.”
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More than 25 members of the DMTP team gathered at the Technium 2 office at Swansea Waterfront to reflect on progress and learn from each other. Presentations were given on a number of key areas, including Benefits Management and an update from the DSPP (Digital Services for Patients and the Public) team on the NHS Wales App developments and functionality.
In the morning session, David Powell, Head of Portfolio Management Office, delivered a presentation outlining the key points from the recently approved DMTP Benefits Strategy and Framework. He discussed some of the common pitfalls of Benefits Management with the team, as well as future plans for the identification and monitoring of DMTP benefits. In the afternoon, guest speaker Stephen Frith, DSPP Programme Director for DSPP, provided an update on the development and release of the NHS Wales App.
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If you would like to know more about our work or have a suggestion about how we can engage with you, we’d love to hear from you!
Email: [email protected], visit our web pages or follow DHCW on our social media channels:
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