Clinical Management System (CMS) Go Live for National Forensics Mental Health Services

Introduction: 

We are pleased to report the National Forensics Mental Health Service (NFMHS) has gone live with the Clinical Management System (CMS).  This is a fantastic achievement and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved.

We wish to acknowledge the work and effort that went into making this possible.  The transition from paper based records & processes to digitisation could not have happened without the patience and perseverance of the highly dedicated NFMHS Project TIDE Team who have worked tirelessly over the past 2 years in coordination with the eHealth Specialised Clinical Management System CMS Programme Team(SCS-CMS) and TrakCare CMS Team InterSystems. 

The Case for a CMS

The requirement for implementing a Clinical Management System through digital technology came about through a government led initiative called the Digital Government Oversight Unit (DGOU)

A directive from the DGOU is that mental health systems should be organised electronically.  A Clinical Management System allows for the delivery of improved and safer patient care through digitisation of the patient journey. It aims to benefit the oganisation, staff and patients through support of  best practice and optimising patient safety.

Evidence to support digitaisation of the patient journey has  been referenced across national and international organisations 

Benefits of a Clinical Management System

Below illustrates some of the key benefits anticipated for NFMHS with a further breakdown beneath: 

• A CMS Can replace outdated technology and or where sites have relied heavily on manual process
• It also assists to significantly reduce restrictive and time consuming paper based ways of working and improving processes.
• Enable Safer patient Care 
• Improved Processes
• Improved Scheduling 
• Enhanced reporting & BI 
• Data security efficiencies 
• Support efforts to drive efficiencies 
• Improved access to information

The Journey to a Clinical Management System

The HSE received two business cases put forward by two non-acute hospitals providing specialised care services for the procurement & implementation of a CMS. The work carried out at this time became the basis for developing a HSE Single Vendor Framework for a Clinical Management System for Specialised Care Services.  

A Single Party Framework Agreement for a Clinical Management System for Specialised Care Services took place in May 2022. This four year framework establishes an agreement between the HSE and InterSystems BV which provides for the following: 

Here you can read about the Single Party Framework Agreement May 2022

Project Methodology & the CMS Project Team 

The project followed the ARIES methodology as illustrated below. At each phase the team worked to complete each element. Works leads and workstreams were established with agile methodology and sprint planning implemented to facilitate the work. 

A dedicated CMS Project team for NFMHS was established to work in partnership with the eHealth SCS- CMS Programme Team and the vendor.

Approach

Significant work went into looking at the standards, legislation and best outcome for NFMHS patients. This bespoke approach and tailoring of the system will ensure quality ways of working through digitisation and the delivery of the best care to patients.

The system has been developed around the model of care, developed back in 2019 for the National Forensic Mental Health Service and the seven pillars of which formed the basis of interventions with patients and is built into the TrakCare System. The system has been built to provide efficient and effective working practices for staff and to enhance how care is delivered to patients and continues to uphold the NFMHS mission, vision & values.

Some key highlights of work performed over the project cycle can be viewed here. 

Sterling work and dedication has been shown by all involved in the project. The Go Live was a great success with positive feedback on the system apparent from the very start.

Early feedback is showing a positive experience of the CMS

I was delighted with my morning on the TrakCare system. I went back the following week and used it without supervision - and I am not a tech wizard by any stretch. 

Professor Donal O’Shea- Clinician with NFMHS Services

Here you can find more information on NFMHS

Here you can find more information on the eHealth SCS-CMS Programme

If you have any queries on the SCS- CMS programme please contact scs.cms@hse.ie