Patient information from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is now being securely shared through the London Care Record to further improve joined up care for their patients who are referred for treatment and care in the Capital and some of its neighbouring areas (11 July 2024).

This means frontline staff across the Capital and some other neighbouring areas can now see relevant information about patients referred from OUH, helping inform their clinical decision making. Only staff involved in a person’s care are allowed to access the information.

From February this year OUH staff could view the London Care Record via their existing electronic record systems to see relevant information about the patients they are treating from GP surgeries, hospitals and other health and care services across the Capital and some neighbouring areas.

Both these developments are important because OUH is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK providing care through over one million patient contacts each year. A large number of their patients are referred for treatment and care in the Capital or other health and care settings who use the London Care Record, such as Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The London Care Record is a single and secure view of a person’s health and care information and includes details about medicals conditions, test results, medicines, allergies, care plans and other useful information such as hospital discharge summaries. It is used over two million times a month by over 100,000 different health and care staff. It has been used over 50 million times in total.

Matt Harris, Interim Chief Digital and Partnership Officer at OUH, said:

“Our priority is providing the best possible care for our patients, including those that receive specialist treatment and care in the Capital and other areas. So it is great that through the London Care Record our staff here in OUH and other professionals across London and beyond have the information that they need about patients when they need it. Feedback from OUH staff who have used the London Care Record over the last few months is that it really does support their clinical decision making and improves joined up care for patients.”

Bishoy Dimitri, Director of Clinical Informatics (CCIO) at OUH, said:

“This milestone benefits clinical staff by streamlining workflows and providing comprehensive patient insights. Ultimately, patients experience safer, coordinated services, time savings, and improved continuity of care. We remain committed to patient-centric care and leveraging technology for better outcomes.”

Debbie Phillips, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“I cannot overstate the importance of the Oxford connection from a Milton Keynes perspective. We have significant numbers of referrals involving Oxford including neonates, complex paediatrics, specialised maternity, major trauma, cardiology, cardiac surgery and many cancer pathways. We have two dialysis units run by Oxford from Milton Keynes sites using the Oxford electronic patient record system and we will be opening a radiotherapy unit later this year. In addition patients from the Buckingham area frequently attend both Oxford Hospitals and Milton Keynes for different conditions.  With each new connection we have seen an increase in London Care Record usage and I fully expect to see a significant further increase with the Oxford connection.”

Luke Readman, Director of Digital Transformation NHS England (London), said:

“It is fantastic news that through the London Care Record patient information is now being shared between OUH and health and care providers across London and beyond. This is important for effective and joined up care because we know so many people are referred to centres of excellence and specialist referral centres outside of the Oxford area. It builds on connections in place with other areas like Hertfordshire and West Essex. We have plans to connect with more neighbouring areas shortly.”  

The work with OUH builds on connections already in place with Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS and Milton Keynes University Hospital. Recently other areas neighbouring London including Bedfordshire, Suffolk and North East Essex have also been connected to the London Care Record so their staff can use the tool and work is underway for them to share patient information into it.

This also supports wider work being led by NHS England through their ‘Connecting Care Records’ Programme aimed at connecting healthcare provider records across the country to streamline data sharing and improve patient care.

You can find out more about the London Care Record here.