Information Systems: Information Management and Technology/IM&T for Mental Health Information

Before the programme started, in 2001, there was little shared knowledge about the current IT infrastructure supporting mental health information across NHSScotland.  Early feedback from the service indicated that sharing such knowledge would be very useful.  In partnership with the Scottish Executive we have therefore been taking stock of what systems are being used and whether they are delivering to the needs of individual trusts. 

During summer 2002, and in collaboration with the Scottish Executive and Greater Glasgow PCT, we sent out a questionnaire enquiring about what mental health information systems were being used in each area. 

More recently (2003-2004) we have been surveying NHS boards to understand which of the modules of the high level functional specification for an information system to support mental health care delivery (described below) are already in place and what plans they have to fill gaps.  The high level specification is in use for a number of systems-scoping exercises prior to procurement.  For further details contact Mike. 

High level functional specification for an information system to support mental health care delivery

Following many conversations with care providers, systems developers and information managers we have developed a high level specification for interlinked information support applications to aid delivery of integrated care.

A draft list of modules includes:

1. Single shared assessment  documentor
2. Electronic care plan creator and viewer
3. Encounter and intervention record: Information Core for Integrated Care
4. Consent manager
5. Alerts system 
6. Standardised referral/discharge/transfer generator
7. Mental Health Act/ Adults with Incapacity Act assessor
8. Staff directory (with contact details and lookup)
9. Care provider diary
10. Outcomes measure tool 

A fuller description  (137kb) is available. This was the subject of a consultation in Feb 07 with all NHS boards. The findings from this survey have been fed into project work to develop a new information system to support mental health services in D&G using the Generic Clinical System, and into the process for a proposed procurement of an Integrated Primary and Community Care (IPACC) system (which may include support for mental health).

Benefits to care recipients

• By providing a standard information bundle to be communicated, joined-up care involving multiple teams is easier to deliver
• Information sharing can be tightly controlled and access audited 

Benefits to care providers

• Allows easier management of case load and case mix
• Ability to generate shared record including encounter note (ICICpara) summarising encounter and intervention Builds care provider log-book for re-accreditation

Mobile access to mental health information

We have also been examining mobile access to mental health information.  We commissioned work from LogicaCMG in 2003 to examine how mobile devices can be used to gather and share mental health information.  The  full report  (958KB) is available for download. Key points include:

• Relying on always-on network access is dangerous:  a cache and communicate approach is better
• Palmtop/ telephone based devices are friendlier than PCs and so less training is required
• Mobile devices should not connect directly to patient databases but with an intermediate server that then separately connects to the patient database
• Any system must comply with NHSnet security operating procedures (SyOPs)

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