App improves staff access to documents at Mid and South Essex

An app that uses AI and automation is improving staff access to information vital to their patients’ care, according to Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust developed the digital governance app MyStaff  with Diligram, with the intention of making it easier to manage critical policies and procedures, reducing the time staff spend searching for information from almost 10 minutes to under 30 seconds.

Following the go-live in 2023, around 80% of staff (12,257) at Mid and South Essex NHS FT have signed up for the app and approximately 1,000 are using it daily.

Healthcare leaders from 16 NHS trusts gathered at the House of Commons on 14 November 2024 to demonstrate how the app was enhancing staff experience.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, introduced the session at the House of Commons, which was hosted by David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh.

The event also saw technology strategists and users share their experiences of digitising vital healthcare operations.

Hopkins said: “Our trust is working to make the best use of digital technologies wherever this can help staff to provide the best possible care to our patients.

“MyStaff app is a versatile and easy-to-use tool that improves our governance processes and makes it easy for staff to access the vital clinical information they need when treating patients.”

The document compliance rate at the trust has grown from 76% in January 2024 to 98% in November 2024, and projections indicate the app could release 55,000 hours’ worth of staff capacity over three years, worth almost £4 million in staff costs and giving staff more time on patient-facing care.

Leslie Golding, chief executive at Diligram, said: “We have worked closely with the trust on developing ground-breaking technology that supports our healthcare heroes by simplifying access to essential information.

“We’re proud to be part of this brilliant example of positive digital change.”

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust signed an agreement with Diligram for its MyStaff app in September 2023.

The closed loop solution initially used in the maternity units before being rolled out to all other departments in the trust. This allows it to manage a document lifecycle from creation, local approval and ratification through to distribution.