Somerset goes live with National Records Locator powered by Servelec

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is the first trust to go live with a national programme powered by Servelec.

The National Records Locator (NRL) for mental health crisis plans is one of four major national programmes run by NHS Digital in partnership with Servelec’s cloud-based Conexes platform.

As part of a working group run by NHS Digital, Servelec has been asked to contribute to four national programmes aimed at setting interoperability standards for suppliers moving forward.

The Conexes platform has also been approved for NHS Digital’s GP Connect programme; National Event Management Service working with the digital child health programme; and the Assessment, Discharge and Withdrawal programme.

The NRL for mental health crisis plans went live in Somerset in April. It allows ambulance services to access mental health crisis plans in the trust’s Servelec  Rio electronic patient record.

It’s hoped access to the records will ensure patient’s receive the most appropriate care, therefore reducing A&E admissions.

James Marriott, clinical systems manager at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The ability to provide timely and accurate information at the point of care is vital, particularly in mental health where access to a joined-up view of the patient truly enables better clinical decision making, a better experience for patients and, most importantly, better outcomes.

“To achieve this, information needs to flow with the patient, between different organisations, often using different systems. Partnering with companies like Servelec who are driving innovation in this space will help turn our vision to drive interoperability across the health and care system into reality.”

Steve Wightman, healthcare managing director at Servelec, added: “We’re very proud to have worked hand-in-hand with NHSD on these programmes, through which patients stand to benefit from better care across settings and improved coordination between the staff caring for them as a direct result.

“It’s clear to see how these programmes have the ability to create better outcomes for people, perhaps even save lives in some cases – and we couldn’t be prouder to be leading the field in digital care.”

The NRL service was launched in beta in November 2018, enabling paramedics and mental health nurses to find out whether the patient they are treating has a mental health crisis plan, by a means of helping inform their treatment.

It is hoped the service will improve the treatment of mental health patients by directing them to more appropriate care setting when possible. It also aimed to improve the safety of patients and staff and reduce duplicate costs within A&E departments and mental health services.