A scheme which empowers patients by encouraging them to take control of their own health care records has been highly commended in a prestigious awards competition.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) competed with trusts across the country at last night’s Health Service Journal annual awards in the “Innovation in Mental Health” category with myhealthlocker.
SLaM’s innovative approach to patient-led electronic health records is a world first in mental health as it ensures patients are completely involved in their own care.
Mike Denis, Director of ICT for SLaM, said he was very proud to be given special recognition at the ceremony.
“Our patient empowerment programme, underpinned by myhealthlocker, represents a significant, relevant and sustainable service transformation,” he said. “Being placed right at the centre of their health and social care experience, patients will be better informed about their health condition, become co-designers of their care plan and collect and share information about their outcomes.”
“Our patients and clinicians are pioneering new ways of engagement, supported by technology innovation, aimed at delivering the best possible individual health outcomes. I want to thank them for making this happen as they work so hard.”
“I am very proud we were recognised in such a highly-regarded awards ceremony.”
With myhealthlocker, service users can engage in their treatment by accessing care plans, information about their condition and medications they use. There is a health diary element to the scheme so service users can monitor how they feel regularly.
People can securely collect, store and manage their own health information from a variety of sources. Myhealthlocker empowers patients to give feedback on the care they receive and facilitates collaborative care and treatment decision making with clinicians – putting patient choice at the centre of the care relationship.
SLaM winners: Mike Dennis, Ninjeri Pandit, David Newton and Richard Morley
Pilots went live across five areas of the trust in September. There are currently about 12 service users regularly accessing myhealthlocker and this is set to increase each month as more and more people become acquainted with the new system.
Service user Jiri Janeck has been involved with developing myhealthlocker for more than two years.
Jiri said he feels much more empowered than when there was just paper patient records and he is able to access his details, appointments and keep track of his medication.
“I feel better about my own care now,” Jiri said. “I can keep track of appointments and medication but I couldn’t before.”
“I can see what my care team are doing and I feel empowered by that.”
Myhealthlocker is also being used for patients to provide feedback on their treatment and fill out surveys. They can also choose for their information to be shared for research.
The awards ceremony was held last night (November 20) at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Hertfortshire Partnership Foundation Trust
For more information about myhealthlocker log onto:
http://www.members.slam.nhs.uk/news/myhealthlocker
For more information on the awards log onto: