People who live in Dudley borough are benefiting from a shared care record programme that has been rolled out across the Black Country.

One Health and Care (OHC) is the NHS shared care record in the Black Country. It allows health and social care professionals directly involved in a patient’s care to view relevant information about the patient which is held by other parts of the NHS and social care.

Dudley Council is the first local authority in the Black Country to go live on OHC, after it successfully applied for a £50,000 grant through WM5G.

The system is designed to support health and social care professionals by providing access to the most up-to-date and relevant information, ensuring that individuals receive the best possible care in the quickest possible time.

Health and care organisations already taking part in the programme include GP practices in the Black Country and West Birmingham, our four acute hospital trusts, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Adult Social Care information from Dudley Council is now available to view in OHC and will eventually be joined by other local authorities in the area.

All the organisations in the partnership have signed an agreement that clearly outlines the reasons for data sharing and their roles and responsibilities in ensuring legal compliance and data security.

Information is held securely and only shared with professionals in the partnership organisations who are directly involved in a patients care and support.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “The launch of the One Health and Care Record is a transformative step in ensuring that our residents receive coordinated and efficient care.

“This system will greatly enhance the way we deliver services and improve outcomes for those we serve, delivering a seamless and integrated service across Dudley and the Black Country.

“It is our long-term aspiration that this package means that residents receiving social care will no longer need to repeatedly share details of their medical history, and our professionals will have access to vital information such as current and past treatments and test results.”

Authorised workers will have view-only access to the Shared Care Record, which includes information shared by our partner organisations. Partner organisations will also have similar view-only access to information shared by Dudley.

Cllr Ed Lawrence, cabinet member for transformation, said: "This initiative represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a more integrated and responsive health and care system.

“By leveraging technology, we are making strides in providing better care and support for our community."

Mark Axcell, Chief Executive for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We know from listening to Dudley residents how challenging it can be if you have to repeat information to different health and care professionals. This shared record is another milestone met, and it is great to have Dudley Council’s support.

“One health and care will ensure that those involved in your care can view relevant information about you which is held by other parts of the NHS and social care.”

More information about One Health and Care can be found on the Black Country Integrated Care System website.