Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is taking significant strides in healthcare by collaborating with Code Computerlove. Their focus is to integrate human-centred design into their digital solutions, aiming for enhanced patient care.
As a Global Digital Exemplar, the Trust, under the guidance of digital leader Rachel Dunscombe, is pioneering a wellness model that leverages digital platforms to improve efficiencies in healthcare. This forward-thinking approach places patients and professionals at the core, ensuring smarter systems for all.
Pioneering Partnership for Healthcare Innovation
The Salford Royal NHS Trust has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with Code Computerlove, emphasising the importance of human-centred design in healthcare solutions. This collaboration aims to revolutionise how digital platforms are used within the NHS, creating systems that cater directly to the needs of both patients and healthcare professionals.
The Vision of Rachel Dunscombe
Spearheading this initiative is Rachel Dunscombe, Salford Royal’s director of digital. She articulates a vision where the Trust moves towards a new wellness model, focusing on unconstrained digital health solutions. This transformative strategy involves removing complexities by implementing the right platforms and skills, thus enhancing patient and professional experiences alike.
Dunscombe highlights the critical role of digital innovation in achieving significant advancements. These improvements are set to enhance patient access to NHS services while simplifying daily tasks for healthcare professionals through better-designed systems.
As part of her role, Dunscombe also leads the newly established NHS Digital Academy, fostering the development of digital proficiency among NHS leaders. Her leadership is pivotal in steering digital enhancements within the Trust.
Human-Centred Design Explained
Tom Bradley, design director at Code Computerlove, elaborates on the principles of human-centred design. This methodology, also known as design thinking, focuses on empathy-driven problem-solving. It combines product thinking with modern engineering, ensuring that solutions are both innovative and tailored to the specific needs of users.
The process begins with in-depth design research, which helps teams gain empathy for users. This insight into user experiences guides the development of solutions that are both effective and user-friendly.
During research, unexpected challenges surface that might otherwise remain hidden. By engaging directly with users, designers eliminate unnecessary business requirements and assumptions, paving the way for authentic solutions.
Digital Innovation Impact on Patient Admissions
In their initial project, Code Computerlove conducted a 100-day sprint focused on enhancing Salford Royal’s patient admissions process. The goal was to improve the quality of patient information and streamline the data entry experience. This focus on admissions is anticipated to elevate the overall standard of patient care throughout their journey.
Code Computerlove collaborated with Salford Royal’s existing Electronic Patient Record (EPR) team. They aimed to enhance the visual quality of admission forms, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive data collection process.
Field Research: Understanding the Patient Journey
Field research played a crucial role in the design process. Code’s team spent time observing and shadowing doctors at Salford Royal’s hospitals. This immersive approach provided invaluable insights into the critical phases of patient admission.
The firsthand experience of the hospital environment was instrumental in developing prototypes that meet the practical needs of medical staff. These prototypes are set to undergo testing following thorough research outcomes.
The thorough research and prototyping highlight the Trust’s commitment to aligning digital solutions with real-world hospital scenarios. This ensures that the innovations are relevant and applicable to everyday healthcare settings.
Future Prospects and Aspirations
Looking forward, the Trust aims to embed these innovative practices across more departments, leveraging digital technologies to further enhance patient care. The focus remains on creating adaptable, efficient systems that keep user needs at the forefront of healthcare solutions.
Salford Royal’s approach embodies a new era of healthcare where empathy and technology merge, setting a precedent for other NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations globally.
Conclusion
The Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust’s initiative with Code Computerlove exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to healthcare. By embedding human-centred design into their systems, they are setting a new standard for patient care that prioritises both efficiency and empathy.
The successful integration of human-centred design at Salford Royal NHS Trust signals a transformative step for the NHS. This progressive model not only enhances patient experiences but also empowers healthcare professionals through streamlined, empathetic digital solutions.
