The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has achieved a significant breakthrough in safeguarding and patient care with the use of the One Health and Care (OHC), a confidential NHS shared care record for the Black Country provided by Graphnet.
This innovative system has transformed how the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) accesses and utilises GP information, leading to significant improvements in operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
A recent survey of MASH staff highlighted the system’s impact:
- Daily Time Savings:
- 44% of respondents save up to 30 minutes daily.
- 31% save up to an hour daily.
- One respondent reported saving as much as 6 hours in a single day.
- Weekly Time Savings:
- The majority of respondents save up to 12 hours per week, with some reporting savings of up to 72 hours.
OHC has reduced the average time to collate information for each patient from 5 hours to just 1 hour. This timesaving equates to reclaiming 122,200 hours annually across 30,550 patient cases, freeing resources to focus on direct care and critical tasks. Operational analysis reveals that OHC has enabled MASH teams to:
- Reduce full-time administrative staff requirements from 24 to just 5.
- Save over 5,000 days annually in information-gathering efforts.
- Enhance the quality and speed of safeguarding checks, ensuring better outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
Before OHC was introduced, MASH staff relied on time-consuming manual methods, including email and phone, to gather GP information. This process often took hours or even days, limiting the comprehensiveness of patient care. OHC has revolutionised this process by providing a centralised platform for accessing GP information. Key features and benefits include:
- Streamlined Access: The system eliminates the need for manual communication, enabling instant access to GP data.
- Improved Coordination: By reducing administrative tasks, staff can dedicate more time to patient care.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Integration with all acute trusts in the Black Country and beyond ensures thorough safeguarding checks, including data on emergency or out-of-area care.
Dan Perrin, Programme Lead, One Health and Care Shared Care Record and Vaccination Programme for NHS Black Country ICB, said: "The implementation of One Health and Care has been a transformative step in how we deliver safeguarding and patient care across the Black Country. By centralising access to vital GP information, we’ve reduced inefficiencies and empowered our teams to focus more on what truly matters - supporting vulnerable individuals with timely, accurate, and comprehensive care."
Jemini Vithalani, Project Manager, SHCR Access and Utilisation Workstream for NHS Black Country ICB, added: "One Health and Care has streamlined processes that once took hours or even days, allowing safeguarding teams to dedicate their efforts where they are needed most. The feedback we’ve received highlights the system’s ability to save thousands of hours annually, making a tangible difference in both operational efficiency and patient care."
Ian Denley, CEO, Graphnet Health, explained: "The success of One Health and Care in the Black Country showcases the profound impact that integrated technology can have, not just in saving time and resources, but in improving lives through better healthcare outcomes and collaboration."
While OHC has already delivered impressive results, the NHS Black Country ICB is committed to addressing remaining challenges, such as improving connectivity and integrating supplementary systems. By continuing to expand and refine this innovative tool, the organisation aims to set a benchmark for safeguarding practices across the UK.
