· How many of your doctors and healthcare professionals are still using SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, Telegram or similar messaging solutions to share patient data?
A) We do not support any of the non NHSD verified messaging platforms. Whatsapp etc are removed from all Trust devices. Staff are informed that no patient data is to be shared using these platforms.
· Does your trust have a contract with a digital communications company for inter team communication (e.g. Induction, Hospify, Siilo, Forward, Medic Bleep, Common Time, Ascom, Vocera etc)? Please state which digital communications company.
A) Yes - Siilo
· Is this communications solution being used across the whole trust or just in pockets (e.g. wards, units or departments)? If in pockets, which wards, units and departments, and why only in those areas?
A) We have a site licence (unlimited users), we are in the process of roll out via Proof Of Concept, initially to District Nurse teams, Patient Flow and Orthopaedics
· If your trust does have a contract with a digital communications company, do you have a data sharing agreement and clinical safety assessment in place with this company?
A) Part of the DCB0129/0160 assessment being undertaken by our Clinical Safety Officer.
· Was there any period in the last 3 years when your trust has been using a digital communications solution without a data sharing agreement in place?
A) Siilo is the first formal digital communication system used in the Trust – no previous messaging or digital comms systems were used or supported formally by the Trust.
· How many patients data has been inappropriately shared without this governance? How many patients data is expected to be still shared without the right governance over the next 2 years?
A) It is against trust policy to inappropriately share patient data and to use non-supported applications. We are not aware of any incidents relating to the sharing of such data.
· NHS England states that each software provider and NHS organisation has to do DCB 0129/0160 before deploying a technology in order to make sure of its clinical safety – did your trust do DCB 0129/0160 before deploying a digital communications solution?
If not, what is your trust doing about it?
A) Yes, we have a formal Clinical Safety Officer who undertakes such assessments, Siilo is within their remit.