Digital Projects
We are responsible for delivering digital transformation across Somerset health and care services, based on national, regional and local requirements.
Using innovative technology for Somerset’s healthcare
Our Digital Team enables digital transformation and works on digital strategy as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. An ICS digital strategy is being produced in line with national, regional and local requirements.
The Digital Team currently has approximately 20 members who have many years of NHS and Public Health experience between them.
We understand that people have busy lives so work closely with the public empowering people to utilise digital tools. These include health apps for smartphones like the NHS App and using computers/laptops for patient online services. This allows for more convenience when accessing health services and advice. We only recommend tools approved as safe and reliable by NHS Digital and most of these are free.
We do recognise that digital is not for everyone and strive to ensure that nobody is digitally excluded. Traditional ways of contacting your practice are still available to those who really need them.
We run a Digital People’s Champion Group which is made up of members of the public who are interested in our work. This group meets several times a year to discuss new innovations and online services, if you are interested in finding out more, or joining, contact us at somicb.digitalteam@nhs.net.
The team also works closely with health and care professionals across Somerset to help enable interoperability and promote record sharing across the system with our Somerset Integrated Digital electronic Record (SIDeR+) programme.
Our Digital Services
NCRS is a service that allows health and social care professionals to access and update a range of patient and safeguarding information across the country.
The NHS App provides a simple and secure way for you to access a range of NHS services on your PC/laptop, smartphone or tablet.
This is a national programme, and all GP surgeries in Somerset are connected. If you are registered with a GP in Somerset, you can start using it straight away.
The Electronic Prescription Service means that your GP can send your prescription electronically to a pharmacy of your choice.
Over 90% of Somerset practices are able to offer this service, more and more are now coming on board.
Your GP is able to refer you to the hospital or another health service provider electronically. This is known as e-referral.
You are then able to choose which hospital or clinic to go to for your outpatient appointment. This may depend on how quickly you want to be seen and where you want to be seen.
Approximately 98% of referrals in Somerset are done electronically. This is much higher than the national average.
While cyber security has always been on the agenda, it’s more important than ever with the rise in use of digital devices and services. We follow government guidance to protect the NHS network and patient data in Somerset would like to share some of the important advice and guidance we have with our Somerset residents.
Using clever computer algorithms, BRAVE AI gives each patient registered at the practice a score for how complex their health needs are and uses this to highlight those who may be at risk of their wellbeing declining to the point of needing to go to hospital.
The Digital Team has been working on digital inclusion as one of our priorities as requested by Governing Body in September 2020. This builds on work across the digital portfolio, with factors for inclusion considered and liaison with our colleagues to ensure links are being made to relevant forums and community groups.
Read more about our Somerset Shared Care Record here
