Arden & GEM’s digital transformation team has been shortlisted at the Health Business Awards 2022 along with partners NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB and ShinyMind.
The successful shortlisting, in the Telehealth Award category, recognises the innovative Shine programme; an empowering digital programme that has improved the wellbeing, productivity and job satisfaction of primary care staff while helping patients to feel better, less anxious and more satisfied with their lives.
Supported by Health Business magazine, the annual awards recognise and celebrate the many examples of innovation and excellence that happen every day in the NHS. The 2022 awards will be hosted live online by TV presenter, Jeff Brazier, who will announce the winners and commended organisations in each category on Thursday 15 December.
Recognising that primary care staff and patients were experiencing similar health and wellbeing needs, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) ICB was looking for innovative opportunities to support both groups. This led to a collaboration with Arden & GEM’s digital transformation team and mental health platform developers ShinyMind to design a programme that would support the immediate mental health needs of staff and patients.
The Shine programme, which brings together a mobile app, supporting training and a prescribing portal, has been piloted with ten practices, enabling up to 10,000 patients to access support. Research conducted among staff involved in the pilot found that wellbeing had improved by 91%, nearly three quarters of participants (73%) cited an improvement in job satisfaction and over 60% felt there was a greater likelihood they would continue working in primary care. A confidential patient questionnaire found that 60% of respondents thought the app helped them to feel better and would like to keep it. Life satisfaction scores improved within six weeks for 28% of respondents and 17% saw an improvement anxiety scores (GAD) after six weeks.
The programme has also enabled self-care, reduced hospital referrals and contacts, and widened access to primary care services. This has led to an extension of the programme to an additional 30 GP practices and 15,000 patients.
Read the full shortlist here.