The Isle of Wight NHS Trust provides a full range of health services to an isolated offshore population of 140,000 people. Much of its work involves working in the community and the Trust needed to find a solution to ensure its staff were able to work effectively and efficiently, regardless of their location.
A rigorous evaluation process by the Trust culminated in an overwhelming vote for the Microsoft Surface to be deployed to staff to equip them with the tools they need to provide a first class service to the island. Patients have expectations that care teams will have access to their past, and current, medical history; using the Surface, the Trust staff are now able access this data remotely and update patient records whilst they are with them. Clinicians are using the tablet to illustrate explanations for patients and helping them to better understand their diagnosis and treatment plans. Staff are also using the video function to record patients in clinics so that they are able to evaluate their progress and the impact that treatment is having. The intuitive nature of the Surface has also proved to be a hit with staff who are instinctively using the touch screen and pen to sign online documents, saving time and paper as well as physical document storage space.
Isle of Wight NHS Trust is delighted with the positive impact that its acquisition of the Surface book is having both on its staff and, as importantly, on their patients. The Trust are looking roll out the Surface across more teams and departments and is looking forward to a more connected, mobile future!