This is an acute trust which migrated to a patient administration system supplied by the LSP. The trust recognised resource gaps in some of the work streams in the critical path towards go live which would potentially impact on the planned go live date.

This concern was escalated to the SHA which, following discussions with the trust, SHA and deployment support team, agreed a work package to support and assist the trust to maintain their planned go-live date.

Our approach

Work packages with measurable objectives and performance measures were mutually agreed with all parties and put in place. The following support was provided:

• a skilled and experienced programme manager worked side by side with the deployment manager from the SHA to facilitate continuity and further transfer of knowledge locally for future deployments
• de-duplication analysts and clerks supported the trust in terms of data quality. They also worked with the SHA on developing policies and procedures for trusts joining existing strategic instances in terms of data sharing. This information is available to other organisations facing similar challenges.
• technical assurance on local architecture and infrastructure to ensure a safe and robust environment to deploy into
• floor walker/product specialist support for cut-over and immediate post go-live period to ensure staff were supported and issues resolved and escalated efficiently.

The deployment support team assured the work package was delivering on time and to quality and acted as support for the staff deployed in order to develop a close working relationship with the trust, SHA and supplier.

Value to the customer

This support package worked effectively at George Elliot and resulted in the trust meeting its planned go-live date. All parties found this of value and worked collaboratively to achieve the best outcome for the trust.

"These support services have been very helpful, especially in a relatively small district general hospital environment where resources are tighter than in large organisations.

"Whilst the SHA endeavours to ensure that resource planning in project initiation documents is effective and maintained, it is good to know that resources can be called upon when events and issues create known threats to live dates."
Martin Judkins, CIO - West Midlands SHA