Electronic records – let us know what you think!
The Scottish Government are working hard to develop a robust system for electronic patient records. This work is at two different stages.
The first is called our Emergency Care Summary (ECS) and is already being used across Scotland for us all. It was launched in 2006 following a public survey carried out by Consumer Rights Scotland showing support for this approach. This record holds basic health information that can be used in an emergency to support the best possible care when you need it. To read all about it click here.
Recent additions to our ECS include information about palliative and end of life care for people who have cancer and other life limiting conditions.
The government are also considering including information about long term conditions. This is to help people with long term conditions to be supported more effectively in emergencies. It could also help when extra health care is needed out of hours by health practitioners who don’t know the person.
The government is asking LTCAS what our members think of this. We have been able to tell them that in previous consultations and events, people with long term conditions and those who represent them tell us that they want safe and effective treatment each time they use the NHS. People also tell us that they don’t want to have to repeat their story of all aspects of their conditions and treatments every time they see someone different. People with long term conditions say they find this frustrating. It can also be dangerous as it can be difficult to remember every aspect of your ongoing support and treatments, especially if stressed by a medical emergency.
The second part of the development of electronic records is a planned move of the whole population’s medical records onto an electronic system. This will allow GPs and hospital staff to share the information they record about people. It is also hoped that it will make it easier, for individuals who wish, to access their own records.
There is a great deal of thought being put into the security of this and how sensitive information can be protected. As with the ECS, the aim is to ensure continuous, safe, effective and consistent care.
LTCAS would really welcome your views on these developments. In particular can you:
- Think about how well information is shared at the moment and how this needs to be improved. Your thoughts will help us gauge the level of concern about health data being held and shared in this way.
- Tell us if you think people with long term conditions would benefit from information about their current support and treatment were included in their ECS. Can you think about what should be included in this?
If you want more information or to talk to us about this please contact Susan Douglas-Scott on 07711470196 or email susan.ds@ltcas.org.uk
Although Susan is stepping down at the end of the month as LTCAS’ Chief Executive, she is continuing to work with LTCAS as a consultant so will be asking members for their thoughts on issues of concern from time to time.
ALISS Project ( Access to Local Information to Support Self Management) Update
Things may have seemed a bit quiet on the public ALISS front just recently, but the team have been busy both refining and reviewing the explanatory material, and planning and thinking hard about what to suggest doing next.
At the March Innovation Workshop we found that guided tours of the ALISS Engine working model seemed to be a great help to folk, so this has been recreated. This short video screencast uses some of the stories that particiapants have been good enough to share with us, to explain what the Engine is and what it is intended to do.
Meanwhile, Snook have been very busy cataloguing the immense amount of material generated during the Workshops, so that it may be re-used by others in their own ALISS initiatives. You can view photos of this process here. We will let you know when further information about this is available on the web.
Finally, there will be an opportunity to take forward the ideas and proposals that we all worked on at the March Workshop. This event is likely to take place towards the end of the summer. We’ll keep you posted on all these – and hopefully more – just as soon as we can.
Peter (for the ALISS Team - @alissproject)
News:
£5 Million for Scottish Carers
Monday 26th July, Public Health Minister Shona Robison unveiled a £5 million backed strategy for carers and young carers in Scotland.
The five year strategy includes: creating a Carers Rights Charter, investment in carer training, respite and short breaks to help ensure carers' health and well being. Read the full story on the Scottish Government website.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Boards
Two new members appointed: Rev Dr Norman Shanks and Mr Ian Fraser. Read the full story on the Scottish Government website.
Appointment to Lothian NHS Board
New Public Partnership Forum memer appointed: Billy Peacock. Read the full story on the Scottish Government wesbite.
National Dementia Strategy launched
Commitments to improve support after diagnosis and hospital care for people with dementia have been made as part of Scotland's first National Dementia Strategy launched on 1 June.
The strategy lays out eight specific actions to support improvements in the care and treatment of people with dementia, focusing particularly on improving the support given following diagnosis. Read the full story on the Scottish Government website.
Healthcare Quality Strategy for NHS Scotland launched
The Quality Strategy, which sets out the actions which will be taken to improve the quality of NHS healthcare was published on 10 May.
The strategy seeks to improve the quality of care patients receive from the NHS, recognising that the patient's experience of the NHS is about more than speedy treatment - it is the quality of care they get that matters most to them. Read the full story on the Scottish Government website and download the strategy.
Publications and Research:
Scottish Government (For a full list of publications, click here)
Other
Consultations:
Scottish Government
Other
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