The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has selected Intouch with Health to help deliver a digital transformation of its outpatient department.
New patient-facing technology will include digital patient check-in kiosks which will allow outpatients to register their arrival for their appointment before directing them to the relevant waiting area.
Digital patient-calling screens will also be deployed in patient waiting areas, which clinicians and staff can use to call patients forward from waiting areas to specific clinic rooms. Administration teams will also use the digital screens to display clinic waiting times to patients, ensuring the effective and efficient communication of information between staff and waiting patients.
The trust will also introduce Intouch’s Flow Manager digital dashboard; a central digital hub accessible by staff that allows them to monitor the progress of each visiting patient and their location in the department throughout the duration of their appointment.
Charlotte Smith, project manager for health informatics at the trust, said: “Giving patients the ability to self-check-in for their outpatient appointment will mean fewer patients queueing to speak to a receptionist when they arrive, while at the same time freeing up reception teams to support patients who absolutely need their help on arrival, which will help deliver a much improved experience for all patients when they arrive at hospital.
“Clearly there are multiple benefits of this platform for both patients and staff, but one of the most important benefit of the Intouch Platform is the integration it provides with our trust EPR. Joining-up systems and processes across the trust is key to continuing to improve the patient experience and alleviate pressure on staff.”
The new technology will be deployed across the Greenoaks site and early pregnancy assessment unit, as well as Rotherham Community Health Centre.
David Elliott, head of projects at Intouch with Health, added: “The Rotherham Foundation NHS Trust is an innovative organisation that continues to develop and grow at pace. One of the most forward-thinking digital trusts in the UK, they are at the leading edge of health service reform.
“Intouch is delighted to be supporting the trust and its team with the ongoing digital transformation of its outpatient services, and we look forward to working together to achieving outstanding results.”