Innovative Portsmouth project shortlisted for prestigious national award

An innovative digital project led by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and technology provider, Concentric Health, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The eConsent project, supported by Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), features in the shortlist for this year’s Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Awards, in the Empowering patients through digital category.

The project has seen the introduction of new electronic consent forms for patients receiving treatment at the Trust, to provide an alternative option to the traditional paper forms.

Accessible remotely at home, the digital consent form allows patients to revisit and digest health information in their own time, and at their own pace. This may help improve shared decision making and personalise their experience of care, which is a key commitment within the NHS Long Term Plan.

The digital forms also help to enhance patient pathways, supporting the recovery of elective NHS services by increasing the efficiency of the consent process.

Wessex AHSN’s Industry and Innovation team supported Concentric Health to successfully apply for funding to the Innovate UK Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) programme.

An NHS England initiative delivered in collaboration with the AHSN Network, the SBRI programme creates a fast-track and simplified process for the NHS and industry to tackle known health challenges and solve unmet needs.

The Insight team at Wessex AHSN is advising Concentric Health’s evaluation of the eConsent project, which includes surveys to assess the impact of the innovation on patients, health and care staff and the wider health economy.

Dr Frank Ratcliff, Director of Industry and Innovation at Wessex AHSN, said:

“We’re delighted that the eConsent project has been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious HSJ Digital Awards and would like to congratulate everyone involved. It’s been fantastic to support Concentric Health on their innovation journey, and it’s great to see this project recognised nationally for its potential to improve patient care.”

Philippa Darnton, Associate Director Insight at Wessex AHSN, added:

“We’re pleased to be supporting Concentric Health with the evaluation of this innovation, which has the potential to transform the informed consent process and associated patient pathways.”

The HSJ Digital Awards showcase digital projects and innovations which improve healthcare and offer value for staff and patients.

The full list of 2023 nominees can be found at digitalawards.hsj.co.uk/shortlist-2023.

The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in Manchester on 22 June 2023.