Health Minister visits Ulster Hospital to see how Encompass is transforming care
Health Minister Robbie Butler MLA, has visited the Ulster Hospital to see how Encompass, Northern Ireland’s Regional digital patient record system has revolutionised the delivery of Health and Social Care across the South Eastern Trust and Northern Ireland.
During the visit, the Minister toured the Paediatric Unit, met with staff and learned about the benefits and the ongoing development of Encompass.
The South Eastern Trust was the first Trust in the Region to introduce encompass in November 2023, enabling staff to access up-to-date patient information and supporting safer, more informed clinical decisions.
The Minister also received a demonstration of the My Care app, which provides patients with secure access to their Health and Social Care information, including appointments, letters and some test results.
At the Discharge Control Room, the Minister met with staff and saw how digital information is helping teams coordinate patient discharges, improve hospital flow and reduce delays.
Following the visit, Mr Butler said: “It has been really good to see Encompass in practice. I have heard a lot about it and there is huge potential for encompass to assist us to improve patient flow, which is so important at every level of Health and Social Care.
“At the Ulster Hospital, I have had the opportunity to see how the system impacts on everything from portering and cleaning required to make beds available, to clinicians accessing real-time data to make more effective and quicker treatment decisions. It is really encouraging to see it in practice.
“I talk about a social contract and I can see the real value of the MyCare app in helping not just Clinicians, but Service Users to access real-time information and use it with confidence to improve lives across Northern Ireland.
"I would encourage anyone with a phone to download the app and join us in transforming Health and Social Care across Northern Ireland.”
South Eastern Trust, Director of Unscheduled Care, Medicine and Cancer Services, Marc Neil was delighted to welcome the Minister to the Control Room and Discharge Hub and added: “It was important for the Minister to visit our Discharge Hub and Control Room to see first-hand how digital information supports teams to coordinate care and manage patient flow across the hospital.
“Having access to timely information helps our teams work together more effectively, identify potential delays and support patients to move through their care journey as safely and smoothly as possible.
"The visit was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the progress we have made and the role digital innovation continues to play in improving services for patients and staff.”
South Eastern Trust, Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Karen Courtenay, welcomed the opportunity to discuss encompass and the benefits for children, families and healthcare professionals.
Dr Courtenay stated: “Having a child’s information available in one place means we can access it when we need it and communicate more effectively with other professionals. This has been one of the biggest benefits for our service.”
South Eastern Trust, Chief Nursing & Midwifery Information Officer, Angela Reed, added: “It was a great opportunity to share with the Health Minister what we have achieved since going live with encompass in November 2023 and demonstrate the difference it is making for both staff and patients.”