Sunderland PCT implements substance misuse EHR

Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust has become the first NHS trust to try the new CareNotes Substance Misuse System, in a two-year deal worth £35,000.

The software was launched by Strand Technology in March and is the first IT solution for substance misuse to combine both electronic patient care records with a prescribing module.

Dave Hannan, sales director of Strand, told E-Health Insider: “CareNotes substance is an integral part of the CareNotes case record system so drug and alcohol teams can use all of the existing administrative and clinical functionality, mirroring NHS policy and best practice.”

The system will be used by 30 Substance Misuse staff at the trust. It will allow them to electronically prescribe Class A controlled drugs, print batches of prescriptions at one time, keep track of anonymous needle exchanges and provide a full system of assessments, treatment plans, clinical notes and business management advice.

CareNotes will be deployed to users over NHSnet, with users accessing the web-based CareNotes system through Internet Explorer.

Hannan told EHI: “Sunderland currently has a poor IT infrastructure in its substance misuse unit. CareNotes will provide them with a proven care system and help them deal with patients a lot faster, whilst maintaining their confidential information and ensuring that their unit is kept safe.

“It will provide care records for all patients and plan management for every single patient file, alerting clinicians when they need to take action. CareNotes already has a proven track record within the NHS and will unlock huge benefits in delivering care.”

In March this year, Bedfordshire and Luton signed a deal with Strand for the CareNotes Mental Health system, following in the steps of Sheffield, Cheshire and Wirral, Norfolk and South London and Maudsley NHS trusts. This will be the first time the new substance misuse system is used by an NHS trust.

The contract also involves staff training and software development specific to Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust. CareNotes will also provide support and maintenance for the system.