Birmingham trust goes live with patient communication platform
Wellola's Portsana solution enbales patients to access informtion, reducing missed appointments and driving efficiencies
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) is set to go live with Wellola’s patient communication platform, Portasana.
The solution will digitise up to two million patient communications each year and help to free up vital workforce capacity, reducing the number of missed appointments across the region and helping the trust meet national targets for reducing waiting list backlogs.
Patients will be able to log into the platform through the website or via an app, allowing them to view their appointments, medical records, and healthcare letters, as well as educational resources provided by their clinician.
Demand for services has never been higher, and like other NHS organisations, tackling the elective backlog to free up capacity for more patients is one of our top priorities
Following the second phase of the rollout in early 2023, patients will also be able to cancel and reschedule appointments, fill in online assessments, and access virtual care pathways.
In circumstances where a patient or service user is unable to access the platform, approved family members will be able to sign in and review information on their behalf.
Time to care
By empowering people to manage aspects of their care, the portal will create efficiencies across the trust by reducing administrative pressures, which will release time for staff to see patients more urgently in need of care.
In turn, this will help them work towards the NHS England target of eliminating one-year elective waits by March 2025.
Dr Jon Higham, the trust’s chief clinical information officer, said: “We’re rolling out the Portasana patient portal at a crucial time for the trust.
“Demand for services has never been higher, and like other NHS organisations, tackling the elective backlog to free up capacity for more patients is one of our top priorities.
“Digitising administrative tasks and clinical pathways is going to play a major role in supporting us to do this.
NHS hospitals are facing significant pressures and we will work with BCHC to support patients and, where appropriate, allow them to take control of their care from the comfort of their own home
“We know expanding digital capabilities across BCHC will provide much-needed flexibility for patients around their care, while freeing up time for clinicians to give back to patients who need it most.”
A one-stop shop
Through the digitisation of letters and educational resources, the platform will help the trust to save money through cutting down on paper and postage costs, while reducing waste in line with NHS England net zero targets.
Sonia Neary, chief executive and co-founder of Wellola, said: “Following the pandemic, there’s been increased appetite among patients to manage their care and wellbeing at home, allowing them to fit their healthcare needs easily around their schedule whenever they can.
“Wellola can support them to do this, by allowing them to manage their care and view resources in one place.
“NHS hospitals are facing significant pressures and we will work with BCHC to support patients and, where appropriate, allow them to take control of their care from the comfort of their own home, so time can be released back to trust staff to focus on those who need it most.”