Change Grow Live (CGL) saves lives with the Northamptonshire Care Record
A drug treatment charity is now connected to the Northamptonshire Care Record and it’s making a difference to the speed of the service they provide for people in Northamptonshire.
Change Grow Live (CGL) provide drug treatment and recovery services in Northamptonshire and now can respond faster to situations of crisis with access to the Northamptonshire Care Record (NCR).
The NCR connects care across the county and reduces phone calls and ad-hoc requests for information about your health and care.
Dr Verona Govender – specialty substance misuse Doctor, Improving Access to OST and Medical Information for Marginalised Populations:
"Rapid access to Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) is critical in reducing drug-related deaths and mitigating ongoing harm among individuals using illicit opiates. Timely prescribing not only enhances safety but also addresses significant health inequalities faced by this marginalised group. Access to up-to-date medical information enables clinicians to prescribe safely and confidently, particularly when patients are not engaged with other healthcare services. In many cases, we are the only point of contact these individuals have with the healthcare system. By facilitating continuity of care and supporting engagement with primary care providers, we can help bridge gaps in treatment and support.
Additionally, quicker access to clinical information streamlines decision-making for detoxification from alcohol and other substances. This reduces delays, improves outcomes, and lessens the administrative burden on GPs, who are often required to provide this information."
Alison Snelling, CGL’s Services Manager Northamptonshire explained:
“This will help reduce drug related deaths of those needing to use illicit substances whilst they are waiting to be prescribed. This work supports GP’s as it reduces the burden on them providing a summary of a person’s record which means we can rapidly prescribe substitute treatment to people with opiate addictions. We also believe that this work will provide the right information at the right time which can save someone’s life”
Janine Elson, Chief Medical Officer of Northamptonshire ICB shared:
“The NCR is changing the data available to our voluntary services in Northamptonshire. This is an important step in tackling health inequalities and ensuring we support people who are seldom heard, preventing deaths from substance misuse and the pain this causes to families in our county”
Kirstie Watson, Director of Digital at Northamptonshire ICB added:
“Expanding our shared care record to include voluntary sector organisations is the next step in our digital development. We have an expert team who provide training and ensure that patient data is used appropriately and safely. We are delighted this is making a difference.”
For more information about the Northamptonshire Care Record and how your data is used, please visit Northamptonshire Care Record | Integrated Care Northamptonshire.