Medisoft welcomes the positioning statement released by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth). As a supplier of electronic medical records to the majority of NHS acute trusts and many Independent Sector Treatment Centres, it is frustrating that the wealth of data captured in systems used across a patient’s various health settings is not commonly shared. We have seen innovations such as shared regional ophthalmic records – offering vastly improved continuity of care for patients – stifled by information governance challenges and a lack of funding.
A key part of the solution is to define relevant and proportionate datasets in collaboration with systems suppliers. This approach should leverage ophthalmic data modelling experience and account for the existing medical records that will require mapping to any new standard. As such Medisoft has a rich history of contributing and collaborating with the RCOphth on the definition of ophthalmic datasets and initiatives – such as HL7 FHIR Ophthalmology Connectathon – to accelerate the creation of future ophthalmic integration standards.
Once data baselines are established, integration and information governance standards may then be mandated to ensure that resultant data can be shared with whomever is caring for the patient.
Further, it is imperative that local commissioning bodies including Integrated Care Boards define digital strategies for their regions, leveraging the opportunity to build upon existing solutions to ensure that care providers in their health economies act and procure in alignment. This requires strategic foresight, supplier collaboration and significant funding to deliver the necessary pace of change.
Finally, we endorse the College’s recognition that user training is essential to this initiative – without data being recorded correctly and thoroughly in electronic form, patients risk continuing to be failed by a health system which provides care in multiple silos.
Medisoft remains committed to working in partnership with the College, commissioners, and fellow suppliers to ensure that ophthalmic data is captured, shared, and used in ways that truly benefit patients. By combining clinical expertise with proven digital solutions, we have an opportunity to deliver more connected, efficient, and patient-centred eye care across the NHS and beyond.
Medisoft welcomes the positioning statement released by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth). As a supplier of electronic medical records to the majority of NHS acute trusts and many Independent Sector Treatment Centres, it is frustrating that the wealth of data captured in systems used across a patient’s various health settings is not commonly shared. We have seen innovations such as shared regional ophthalmic records – offering vastly improved continuity of care for patients – stifled by information governance challenges and a lack of funding.
A key part of the solution is to define relevant and proportionate datasets in collaboration with systems suppliers. This approach should leverage ophthalmic data modelling experience and account for the existing medical records that will require mapping to any new standard. As such Medisoft has a rich history of contributing and collaborating with the RCOphth on the definition of ophthalmic datasets and initiatives – such as HL7 FHIR Ophthalmology Connectathon – to accelerate the creation of future ophthalmic integration standards.
Once data baselines are established, integration and information governance standards may then be mandated to ensure that resultant data can be shared with whomever is caring for the patient.
Further, it is imperative that local commissioning bodies including Integrated Care Boards define digital strategies for their regions, leveraging the opportunity to build upon existing solutions to ensure that care providers in their health economies act and procure in alignment. This requires strategic foresight, supplier collaboration and significant funding to deliver the necessary pace of change.
Finally, we endorse the College’s recognition that user training is essential to this initiative – without data being recorded correctly and thoroughly in electronic form, patients risk continuing to be failed by a health system which provides care in multiple silos.
Medisoft remains committed to working in partnership with the College, commissioners, and fellow suppliers to ensure that ophthalmic data is captured, shared, and used in ways that truly benefit patients. By combining clinical expertise with proven digital solutions, we have an opportunity to deliver more connected, efficient, and patient-centred eye care across the NHS and beyond.