Civica, a global leader in software for public services, has been selected by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) for a new five-year contract for its Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) cloud solution, Civica Prescribing.
SPFT provides specialist NHS mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages across Sussex, and for children and young people in Hampshire.
Civica’s cloud Prescribing software features robust safety mechanisms to prevent medication errors. It delivers precise patient information and support for assured decisions and positive actions to improve patient care and clinical safety specifically designed for mental health, and community care settings.
The new contract supports the Trust’s digital transformation programme to develop more patient-facing and self-management technology, improve data analytics and interoperability between systems. Civica Prescribing software will help the Trust share records with pharmacy dispensing services and other partners efficiently and securely.
During COVID-19, the software will help with continuation of patient care while minimising the risk of exposure and transmission. For example, clinicians can work together electronically to share medication information safely between locations, while online access to medication records reduces movement between wards or care settings and contact with vulnerable patients.
Beth Lawton, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “As a growing mental health Trust, it’s vital we have flexible digital solutions in place which can be integrated with our existing clinical systems and have the scope to meet changing future demands.
“We were looking for a long-term partner with dedicated experience in ePMA for mental health. Civica Prescribing will offer our front-line staff a clear workflow to help them safely prescribe and administer medications, as well as reducing risk and increasing safety for all our patients.”
Steve Brain, Executive Director, Health and Care at Civica added: “Improved technology and automation are key enablers for NHS mental health trusts to reduce prescription errors and drive efficiencies to deliver better outcomes for patients. Civica Prescribing will provide Sussex with a significant range of safety, quality and operational benefits to support both local and national strategic health objectives now and in the future.”
Civica is the leading ePMA provider for mental health in the NHS and has built a strong community of mental health service users across the UK. This latest deal follows contracts with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
With a 30-year track record in the health sector, Civica delivers critical software solutions to over 400 customers across the NHS and private care sector: from electronic prescribing and patient records to enhanced workforce efficiency. The company provides cloud delivery to more than 20,000 clinicians, facilitates the scanning of 150 million documents and images and processes £70bn of NHS funds annually.
