Better Information sharing? Care Quality Commission: Beyond Barriers Providers not routinely involved in joined-up discharge, leading to duplication of work and unnecessary chasing for information. Responses from Registered Managers of Domiciliary Care agencies indicate their services are the most overlooked. The content, accuracy and timeliness of discharge information received are inconsistent. Digital information sharing between health and social care systems appears to be largely absent.

NHS Digital Social Care Programme The NHS Digital Social Care Programme builds on work already undertaken with care providers in relation to sector led Data Security and Protection Toolkit Guidance facilitating roll out of NHSmail to Care Homes and domiciliary care organisations. Aim is to help improve the digital maturity of the adult social care sector, increasing potential for sharing information and improving care.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, has ordered the NHS to phase-out fax machines by March 2020, encouraging the use of secure email. The NHS Long Term Plan “We will support easier, secure, sharing of information between care homes and NHS staff”. “Care home staff will have access to NHSmail (after completing the Data Security and Protection Toolkit), enabling them to communicate effectively and securely with NHS teams involved in the care of their patients”.

The Data Security and Protection Toolkit It is recommended that all social care providers complete the Toolkit as they will hold, process or share personal data. Crucially, when an organisation has reached the appropriate level of compliance with the Toolkit it will enable them to assure themselves that they have met the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) CQC ‘well led’ inspections Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) include data security. Using the DSPT will be helpful in demonstrating compliance.

Routes in 1. National Administration Service 2. Local Sponsorship Three routes to join NHSmail:- 1. National Administration Service Central online registration portal, likely to be the main route for providers. Free to use https://portal.nhs.net/Registration#/careprovider 2. Local Sponsorship CCG or CSU provides Local Administrator service (The ‘old way’) 3. Self-Sponsorship Normally for large Providers Need to check with OCCG eg Barchester/ Sanctuary/ Anchor

Oxfordshire 120 registered homes (all conditions) 73 ‘brands’ as defined by CQC +4 homes part of larger chains extending outside Oxfordshire 45 homes with company leadership in, or close to, Oxfordshire

The offer NHSmail available NOW to all Care Providers (after formally completing The Data Security and Protection Toolkit DSPT). NHS digital resources for each care home. Facilitated workshop – joint with Bucks (funding from NHS Hampshire). Peer mentoring/ support to be built. Additional services – Not just ‘email to a desktop’, but Mobile Services, a Directory of health and care users and Skype for Business as standard; plus top- up services available from catalogue (paid locally). National helpdesk – support available 365 days, 24/7 on 0333 200 1133, or via email at helpdesk@nhs.net.