Sussex Partnership selects Civica to deploy cloud-based e-prescribing tool

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has selected Civica to deploy a cloud-based electronic prescribing and medicine administration (ePMA) solution.

The trust 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 Prescribing has been designed to prevent medication errors as it provides precise patient information and support for medical decisions. The overall aim is to improve patient care and clinical safety with the solution specifically designed for mental health, and community care settings.

The new five-year contract supports the trust’s digital transformation programme to develop more patient-facing and self-management technology, and improve data analytics and interoperability between systems. Civica Prescribing software will help Sussex Partnership share records with pharmacy dispensing services and other partners efficiently and securely.

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.”

This latest deal follows contracts with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Steve Brain, executive director for 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.”