NHS DIGITALISATION
Summary
In my role as an Assistant Psychologist at an NHS personality disorder (PD) clinic, I recognised a significant bottleneck in patient waiting times due to traditional paper-based assessment methods. I spearheaded the development of an electronic diagnostic scoring tool, streamlining the process and subsequently improving the efficiency of patient diagnosis and treatment.
Objectives
(1) Efficiency Overhaul: Address the long patient waiting times by innovating the diagnostic process
(2) Digital Transition: Transition from paper-based assessment to an electronic format
(3) Data Enhancement: Create a tool that facilitates improved data collection and accessibility for further research
Execution
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Undertook a comprehensive research phase to pinpoint the inefficiencies in the existing system
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Devised a prototype tool, subsequently showcasing its potential to the Clinic Lead
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Assembled and guided a multidisciplinary team, including clinicians, technicians, and administrative personnel
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Conducted rigorous stress-tests using existing patient data to validate the tool's diagnostic precision
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Orchestrated training sessions within the vicinity, advocating for seamless tool integration
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Engaged with NHS authorities for a broader tool deployment
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Collaborated with developers to fashion a patient feedback app, further modernising the data collection process
Outcomes
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Achieved a significant 83% reduction in diagnostic and referral times
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Facilitated quicker and better patient access to pertinent psychological treatments
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Realised cost savings by enhancing clinician time utilisation
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Amplified the reach of outcome data, benefiting the clinic and the broader NHS service
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Catalysed research ventures examining the effectiveness of mental health treatment paradigms
