Freedom of information requests

software and data quality management

Questions

 I would like to request the following under the Freedom of Information Act.

 1. Do you use a software product to manage your patient tracking list or waiting lists? If so, which product?

2.  How many FTE validators do you use to maintain the accuracy of your patient tracking list?

 How much money has been spent on external validators on an annual basis for each of the last 3 years?

 Do you carry out any staff training on RTT rules to improve the data quality of your waiting lists? If yes, please provide a short description of the training provided.

 Who is responsible for the production of your PTLs? Please provide name and job title.

 Do you use a software tool to track data quality on your patient pathways

Response

I would like to request the following under the Freedom of Information Act.

 

1. Do you use a software product to manage your patient tracking list or waiting lists? If so, which product?

 Yes – but not an external product. We use an in-house built PTL that was developed by our informatics and systems team.

2. How many FTE validators do you use to maintain the accuracy of your patient tracking list?

 10 WTE at present

3. How much money has been spent on external validators on an annual basis for each of the last 3 years?

2021/22 – £237K

2020/21 – £0

2019/20 – £0

4. Do you carry out any staff training on RTT rules to improve the data quality of your waiting lists? If yes, please provide a short description of the training provided.

 We use online material for all new starters as part of their induction and targeted based on adhoc error reviews and direct training on request from teams.

 Consultant induction training and periodic refresher courses includes interpretation of national guidance regarding RTT, local access policy and system use.

5. Who is responsible for the production of your PTLs? Please provide name and job title.

The PTL is produced by the trust informatics Corporate Information Team. Overall responsibility for the PTL lies with the Head of Healthcare Informatics, Christopher Stephen

Staff email addresses follow the format: Firstname.Surname@uhb.nhs.uk

All staff are contactable via the Trust’s switchboard: 0121 371 2000 or 0121 424 2000

Please note, under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) it can be unlawful to send electronic mail marketing to individuals unless:

• recipients have specifically consented, preferably via an opt-in, or
• recipients are an existing customer who has bought a similar product or service from you in the past, and you give them a simple way to opt out of receiving your electronic marketing in every message you send.

When contacting via email, you must not disguise or conceal your identity and must provide a valid contact address so recipients can opt out or unsubscribe.

NHS resources are currently extremely stretched owing to the prioritisation of resources to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. We would appreciate your consideration of this when contemplating contacting us and your patience if we do not respond at this time. 

6. Do you use a software tool to track data quality on your patient pathways?

 We use a replication of the national LUNA dashboard internally alongside additional DQ reports developed within the Trust.