Agenda item

To consider a presentation on the Whole Systems Integrated Care Dashboard.

6.1       Ian Riley (Director of Business Intelligence, North West London Collaboration of CCGs) gave a presentation on the Whole Systems Integrated Care (WSIC) Dashboard. He advised that information sharing and compiling had been in progress for some years now and all eight North West London CCGs were involved. This included an information sharing agreement allowing data to be shared between organisations looking after the same patients. There was still progress to be made, however around 2 million patients were now on the WSIC data warehouse. Ian Riley advised that patients could ask to opt out of the information sharing if they so wished. A key focus of the WSIC dashboard was for the eight North West London CCGs to work more collaboratively and Ian Riley referred to a case example in the presentation demonstrating how the WSIC dashboard was being used to coordinate care for patients. Examples were also given as to how patients with long term conditions were supported.

6.2       During discussions, it was asked why patients would want to opt out of information sharing and how would they know that they could do this. Members remarked that the WSIC dashboard was a powerful tool to support integrated care and some very important data was being collected and shared. In addition, a joined up approach was being taken and the dashboard was comprehensive and easy to use. The data would also help in respect of joint commissioning and integration and it was commented that the WSIC dashboard should be utilised more. Members enquired whether the WSIC dashboard would assist in preventing patients having to respond to repeated requests for information and were there any gaps of information in the dashboard. It was also asked whether more GPs were sharing information now. Members commented that GPs should make more use of the WSIC dashboard and this would influence how they operate. Members enquired whether CCGs and GPs sharing information would know of any mental health issues patients may have. It was also asked whether the WSIC dashboard was refreshed weekly and was information being obtained from dentists and opticians. Members sought information as to who had access to the WSIC dashboard data and it was remarked that there should be an awareness campaign to inform patients about the information sharing.

6.3       Dylan Champion commented that the WSIC dashboard should be used to help drive the Outcomes Framework and he asked whether Healthwatch was aware of the dashboard and were they informing patients of this. In addition, he sought further details of WSIC dasboard’s level of security.

6.4       In reply to issues raised by the Board, Ian Riley stated that there could be numerous reasons why patients may wish to opt out of information sharing and there needed to be further conversations with them on this matter. He informed Members that the data could be made anonymous.  There was a gap in information in terms of that held by the voluntary sector and work was already being undertaken by NHS Hillingdon CCG with voluntary organisations in the borough to address this. Members noted that more GPs were sharing information and they were required to inform patients that they were doing this. Healthwatch was also informing patients about the data sharing. Ian Riley advised that the WSIC dashboard was not yet acquiring data from dentists and opticians, although this could happen in future, however the data being collected and shared was driven by clinicians’ priorities. Ian Riley advised that weekly extracts of data were taken from GPs and monthly extracts from local authorities. There was a process involved in who can access the WSIC dashboard data and Ian Riley stated that he could provide further information on who had access. There was also a body that considered requests for anonymous data and the whole process was strictly controlled and audited.

6.5       The Chairman stated that patients may have concerns about who could see their data, especially in comparison to the care.data experience where there had been potential information being sold on or used for research outside of healthcare. He advised that some diagnoses and information were excluded where it was sensitive. He welcomed the WSIC dashboard and emphasised that it underpinned the improved care and integration that the CCGs were trying to achieve.