Welcome to the latest edition of the Digital Transformation Newsletter. In the last few years our Trust has seen several positive steps forward in laying the digital foundations that will support innovation well into the future.
From the successful rollout of the Electronic Patient Record (EPR), including CareFlow PAS, CareFlow ED, BadgerNet Maternity and Paediatric Vitals to essential upgrades in our core technology, infrastructure, network and security - these efforts are transforming the way we access, manage and store information across clinical and corporate services.
Looking ahead to 2025/2026, digital transformation remains a priority. While national funding for digital programmes is expected to be more limited than in previous years, we remain committed to progressing our EPR journey and continuing to invest in the modern infrastructure and cyber resilience required to support safe effective care
Alongside this, we are also keeping a close eye on emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which have the potential to enhance our services in the longer term
Our digital teams are working hard to deliver both business-as-usual support and new project work. However, with a smaller project resource anticipated in 2025/2026, it’s more important than ever that we prioritise effectively and work collaboratively
To help us do this, we’ve established a Trust-wide digital roadmap and a clear process for assessing and progressing new digital projects. We continue to receive a high volume of requests from across the organisation, and while we want to support as many initiatives as possible, we must align our resources to the Trust’s agreed digital priorities.
We ask all teams to continue using the standard process for requesting digital support and to participate actively in the Trust’s digital prioritisation process. This will help ensure that every project we take forward delivers real value and is backed by the resource and planning it needs to succeed
Please search “Digital Transformation” on the intranet for more information. Thank you for your continued support as we build a digitally enabled future together.
See the next page for some of our current projects
ICE Order Comms - Changes coming to Radiology
We will be replacing our existing Order Comms systems (tQuest and Review) with a product called ICE (Integrated Clinical Environment) This project focuses on Radiology at the moment however, it will expand to Pathology at a later date in line with the new Laboratory Information management system (LIMS) implementation. This includes replacing paper requests with electronic requests where feasible and replacing paper clinical acknowledgement with electronic. The project team is working with clinicians at SaTH and partner organisations on go live plans for Radiology in Q4 25/26
This is part of a wider regional initiative and will be deployed across our partner organisations. This is the first step in creating a safer, faster and paper-free testing and reporting process
How will it affect me?
Radiology referrals will be fully electronic - no more paper referral forms
You'll be able to request Radiology tests directly via ICE, through CareFlow PAS or by accessing ICE from any Trust device
Radiology reports will be visible in ICE and will continue to be accessible in Clinical Portal and PACS
Electronic sign-off and acknowledgement of results will now be required and can be done with a single click in ICE
Who can access ICE?
Anyone currently authorised to request Radiology services and any staff needing to view requests and results You’ll be able to access ICE system via:
CareFlow (within patient records)
Directly from a browser (ICE is web-based)
From ‘My Applications’ on the intranet
Training and support Training modules are being developed and will be available in LMS shortly. Resources will be available on the intranet
Training material will also be available to partner groups as part of the ICS-wide rollout.
If you want to be become an ICE Change Agent and/or be part of the testing and preparation for go live, please contact the project team via email sath.ice.ordercomms@nhs.net
Patient Engagement Portal (PEP)
We caught up with Sevina Tzortzis, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Consultant and one of our Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO), to talk about the Patient Engagement Portal - the new digital tool helping patients access their health information.
How long have you worked in the Trust and have you always been in your current role?
I have worked at SaTH since 2017 as an ENT consultant and became a CCIO in 2024 Previously I was a Clinical Governance and Patient Safety Lead I have had a range of roles throughout my career always focusing on education and improving patient care
What is the Patient Engagement Portal?
It’s a secure digital platform where patients can view their appointments, letters and key health information. It helps patients feel informed and involved in their care, which we know improves outcomes
How does it benefit staff?
It reduces incoming calls and admin pressure by giving patients easy access to information they’d otherwise need to phone about, for example the Patient Access Centre is able to proactively manage rescheduling requests. In the first month we saw a 75% reduction in printed letters As patients receive text reminders about their appointments we predict a reduction in did not attends (DNAs) as we go live in more departments in the Trust.
Is this another app?
No, this isn’t a separate app to manage It’s web-based and integrates with our existing systems. Patients log in securely through the website at any time and will receive their information through NHS App notifications and/or text messages (depending on user preferences) More information about the NHS App can be found here
What’s next?
The Digital Team, Patient Access Centre and the Operational leaders of the Trust have been closely collaborating to adopt the new system and embed it, in order to improve their services and the patient’s journey. We are encouraging services to prepare and plan for a go live in their areas by spreading awareness of the project. The Digital Team are working closely with the Patient Access Centre to plan the roll-out, but if your service manages their own clinics then you will need to contact sath.patientportal@nhs.net to arrange roll-out in your area. In the meantime, the Digital Team are also focusing on next steps for functionality, including the enablement of PIFU requests in the system.
Secretaries workstation (SEW)
SEW2 was partially rolled out in 2019 and has since been deployed to four departments/areas. The remaining areas currently using SEW1 are scheduled to transition to SEW2 by November 2025. SEW2 has additional features and functionality. The software is written on a new platform that will support future developments and allows users to view audit trails, statistics, version control and letter templates.
Benefits of SEW2:
Patients and General Practitioners will receive letters more quickly, as they’ll be automatically delivered through the appropriate channels
Letters are created as a PDF, this means that the letters cannot be changed, but a new version can be created
Each document will be single-episode document
Ensures that you view the most up-to-date document
Integration with new PAS system
Ensures that documents can be sent electronically
Document’s title will include the document type
Automatic inclusion of allergy details as required by the Professional Records Standards Body
Use of Organisation Address Book to add additional recipient to a letter
Reporting functionality for Audit purpose
If you would like more information on SEW2 including training and access, please see the intranet
Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) are transforming how we work. It is helping to streamline tasks, reduce errors and free up time for effective patient care.
AI refers to computer systems that can perform a variety of advanced functions such as recognising patterns and analyse data. RPA, uses software ‘robots’ to carry out repetitive, rules-based tasks like filling in forms and moving files Both come with huge benefits that we can use throughout the Trust.
These projects will help us grow our digital programme. Supporting us to work more efficiently, improve safety and enhance patient outcomes.
We are currently investigating these tools more widely to see where and how it will benefit our departments.
Recent Digital Achievements
The work of our Digital Services Team spans much wider than the systems that we use to record patient information Did you know these success stories:
Windows 11: Our recent work to upgrade devices to Windows 11 has been recognised across the NHS. NHSE, which was closely involved in the last big upgrade (from Windows 7 to 10), has praised the way we planned, communicated and delivered the latest rollout. They could see we’d taken on board lessons from the past and made big improvements across the board This is a great achievement as from October 2025, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10. We are currently on 98% compliancy which helps to keep our systems and data safe
Our team has also supported other trusts by sharing their knowledge of this process We’ve been invited to share our experience at the Midlands Digital Collaboration Forum in September. The team will be presenting how we tackled the project and offering advice to other teams getting ready for their own upgrades.
Data review: In Q1 24/25, issues were found with how data was feeding into national submissions. NHS England gave us special permission to delay our full-year CDS data submission so we could put things right.
Thanks to a huge team effort, we successfully submitted a near full-year data refresh (May 2024–March 2025) and April 2025 data by the national deadline in May.
Our plans are fully aligned to national digital and data strategic direction and this work reflects how we’re now using better national tools, improving data quality and laying the groundwork for future innovation, including AI and live dashboards, to help improve care and decision-making across the Trust.
Recycling end-of-life devices: For over two years, our end-of-life devices have been securely recycled, refurbished and resold through our partner SCC. Every device is wiped to the highest data security standards, then repaired and restored for reuse helping us reduce e-waste and extend the life of valuable technology.
SCC handles the resale process and a share of the proceeds is returned to the Trust. This not only supports sustainability but also brings in extra income. It’s a great example of how the team demonstrates the dedication to environmental sustainability and becoming a greener team.
