The Walton Centre renews contract with Silverlink software

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust has renewed its contract with Silverlink Software to provide a patient administration system.

The specialist neurosciences trust, which diagnoses and treats disorders affecting the brain, spine, peripheral nerves and muscles, first deployed Silverlink in 2003.

The 17-year relationship was renewed to enable the trust to continue to buy and build neurophysiology modules that work for its specific needs and budget.

Rather than investing in an enterprise-wide solution, The Walton Centre has created an in-house electronic patient record (EPR) that includes nursing documentation, outpatient workflow, and e-observations, which integrates into the PAS.

Justin Griffiths, head of IM&T at The Walton Centre, said: “Over the course of our working relationship, we have been able to achieve close to full EPR functionality and save millions of pounds by integrating our own digital solutions while ensuring we have a solid architectural foundation using Silverlink’s PAS.

“By doing so, our team has built up a very good relationship with the Silverlink team, and our in-house skills and knowledge have improved significantly. As a trust, we have also learned to be flexible in responding to requests for system changes.

“It’s meant we have established really good engagement with our clinicians and nurses, and we have developed an EPR as a team. This adaptability and responsiveness would not have been achievable with ‘off the shelf’ solutions.”

The trust has implemented Silverlink’s bed management, referral to treatment (RTT) and 18-week pathways modules, as well as a number of specialised add-ons for outpatient examinations.

Tim Quainton, managing director of Silverlink Software, added: “The Walton Centre is a great example of how choosing a best-of-breed approach can achieve the same benefits of an enterprise-wide EPR, but without the same level of risk and cost.

“Despite limited budget and resources, the trust has created a bespoke suite of solutions to support their neurosciences specialities, empowering users and improving patient experience.”