DCCR April briefing update 2022

Across Devon and Cornwall, a programme of digital work is underway to deliver a new system called the Devon and Cornwall Care Record that will transform the way we provide services to patients.

The Devon and Cornwall Care Record enables authorised health and care staff to see details held by a wide range of health and care providers across Devon, Cornwall, and the Isle of Scilly in a single record – giving them a more complete view of a patient’s history. It is part of a national programme to transform information sharing across health and social care.

Each month we will provide an update for everyone interested in how the programme is developing.

Engaging with health and care providers

During March and April, we have held a series of webinars for our primary care colleagues – to answer queries and to provide updates on the programme. Representatives of 56 GP practices from across Devon and Cornwall have attended these webinars.

We have a further session for General Practices on Wednesday 27 April 11:30-12:30. If you would like to attend, please contact the team on email:
d-ccg.devonandcornwallcarerecord.pmo@nhs.net

We have also met with Cornwall LMC, Kernow CCG colleagues and the Devon Carers group.

Public engagement

A key aspect of the DCCR is engaging the public. Even though the programme does not radically change the care process – and, therefore, there is no requirement for a formal consultation – it is still important that the public understand how the people who provide their care manage their data.

In March we met with Healthwatch Devon to discuss the programme and get their feedback and input. We talked about all aspects of the project, from data sharing agreements to data controllers. We will be meeting with Healthwatch Cornwall in the coming weeks.

Data sharing agreement

To participate in the programme, all stakeholder organisations are required to sign a data sharing agreement (DSA) that specifically relates to the DCCR. Once we have held conversations with organisations to get them onboard, we send them the DSA via an electronic document system called DocuSign. To date, 29 organisations have signed up, this includes 19 GP practices across both Devon and Cornwall.

We are in the process of contacting health and care organisations in Devon and Cornwall as part of a phased roll-out. If you would like your organisation to participate in the DCCR, please contact us via the email address below.

Technical and clinical development

In April we are continuing to test the DCCR system to ensure that it can be safely launched in some areas in May.

Each month, the steering group of professional and clinical representatives meets to inform the programme. Their role is to support clinical safety and priorities. In April, they began identifying the DCCR’s future priorities and where it can add value for patients.

Welcome to the team

Mark Procter has joined the programme as the programme director. He will oversee the programme and ensure that it is delivered. Mark has extensive experience working within primary care and delivering digital agendas.

Lucy Pye has also joined the team and will manage the DCCR Support Team who will provide support to users of the system and manage user accounts. Lucy joins us with significant experience working for a successful support team in the council.

Looking forward

The programme will continue to work with GP practices and other stakeholder organisations to increase the number of data sharing agreements in place. This will enable the wider health and care community to benefit fully from accessing information and provide better care for patients.

Extensive testing will also continue behind the scenes. This testing ensures that when new organisations come on board the system works correctly and patient information displays for the authorised clinicians and healthcare workers who will access the record.

Keeping you involved and informed

We will share regular updates with key networks through their meetings and bulletins and all essential information will be available on the programme’s dedicated website. www.devonandcornwallcarerecord.nhs.uk

However, if you would like us to attend one of your regular meetings to provide more details about the programme, please get in touch.

Spread the word and get in touch

Please forward this email to any colleagues who might be interested in knowing more about the Devon and Cornwall Care Record.

And if you have any questions about the programme or would like to find out more, please email the team at d-ccg.devonandcornwallcarerecord.pmo@nhs.net.