Community trust becomes first to adopt new technology

Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCHT) has become the first community healthcare organisation in the country to adopt technology that allows patients to choose when they attend appointments.

Following a successful pilot across non-urgent podiatry services in November 2021, the trust is rolling out DrDoctor’s care co-ordination platform, which integrates with EMIS Web, across more services this summer, including musculoskeletal clinics later this month.

DrDoctor empowers patients to use advanced scheduling to change their appointments through an online portal.

And the platform integrates with the trust’s patient administration system to provide patients with eight appointment slots to choose from once they have requested to change their appointment time.

When they have booked an appointment, patients receive confirmation notifications and reminders.

Hospitals are dealing with incredibly high pressures following the pandemic and creating digital-first pathways can alleviate these pressures and help people to have better awareness about where they are in their healthcare journey

Andrew Chronias, chief information officer at the trust, said: “DrDoctor is an easy-yet-innovative way to improve the quality of care our patients receive.

“The new digital pathway gives patients control of their healthcare, allowing them to reschedule appointments for a time that suits them.

“At CLCHT we have a strong focus for digital technology to act as an enabler to improve our clinical systems and the DrDoctor platform reduces the time spent on admin tasks and answering calls, giving staff the ability to spend more time with other patients, supporting those with complex needs, and tackling the growing waiting lists.

“The impact DrDoctor has had so far is paving the way for CLCHT’s digital transformation across different services.”

The platform is a convenient way for patients to manage their appointments, without having to spend a long time on hold on the phone or waiting for inconvenient office hours.

And, by supporting patients in managing their own care pathways, patients are empowered, resulting in higher patient satisfaction.

Appointment slots also become available for other people, reducing the financial costs associated with missed appointments.

At the trust we have a strong focus for digital technology to act as an enabler to improve our clinical systems

Tom Whicher, chief executive of DrDoctor, said: “The work carried out at CLCHT has shown the huge benefit high-quality and easy-to-use digital health platforms can have on NHS services.

“Hospitals are dealing with incredibly high pressures following the pandemic and creating digital-first pathways can alleviate these pressures and help people to have better awareness about where they are in their healthcare journey.

“By enabling communication between patients, clinical teams, and staff we can give a more-seamless, personalised experience.”