NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (HEPMA) programme has been recognised for its contribution to eHealth after its joint leads were nominated for a prestigious Digital Heath and Care Award.
Dr Brian Digby, Consultant Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia and Chair of NHSGGC’s HEPMA Programme Board and Dr Alastair Bishop, eHealth Strategic Development and Programmes Manager & Safer Medicines Programme Lead, have been shortlisted for the Digital Leader Award, as joint leaders.
Previously hospitals carried out almost all prescribing and administrating of medicines on a paper drug chart, which can be time consuming and cannot automatically prevent errors. HEPMA removes the manual steps, managing information electronically and can support clinical decisions by monitoring patient allergies and drug interactions.
Rollout of HEPMA across NHSGGC is already more than halfway through. In total 330 wards, 120 theatres and 12,000-18,000 users will experience the benefits of the programme, which is hoped will provide a more efficient service while maintaining the highest of safety standards.
Dr Bishop said: “It’s really nice to receive recognition for this work by being nominated for this award. While Dr Digby and myself are the names on the nomination, this has been a monumental team effort supported by literally thousands of clinical staff adopting the new way of working.
“The entire team has been amazing, but I would also like to highlight the commitment and dedication of David Gallacher, eHealth Programme Manager for HEPMA and Rob Puckett, Lead HEPMA Pharmacist.
“The great thing about HEPMA is that patients will get the benefits without noticing any real change, while this new way of working will have a positive impact on staff and workload.”
Now in its fifth year, the Holyrood Connect Digital Health and Care Awards celebrate the remarkable work in technological advancements, innovation and research & development across Scotland’s health sectors.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on February 22 at InterContinental Edinburgh the George.
Denise Brown, Interim Director of eHealth at NHSGGC said: “Congratulations to both Dr Digby and Dr Bishop on their nomination.
“This is not just great recognition for our joint leaders, but for every member of the HEPMA team which is a collaboration between Pharmacy, clinical services and eHealth.”
