Newborn Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme: Automating and Enhancing the System to Evaluate the...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Service Design

Background:

• Effective screening programs require robust data for objective assessment and quality improvement.
• The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme's previous data collection relied on manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and user dissatisfaction.
• Issues included data incompleteness, duplication, poor feedback, and inadequate oversight for infant care transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To redesign and implement an automated data collection system for the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme.
• To address data quality and completeness issues identified in the previous manual system.
• To improve user experience and ensure the safe handover of infants from screening to treatment services.

Main Methods:

• Employed an Agile service design process aligned with the Government Digital Service Model.
• Collaborated closely with end-users, stakeholders, and system suppliers.
• Developed and implemented a new, automated IT system for data collection and program evaluation.

Main Results:

• The new automated system enhances the screening program's ability to evaluate its effectiveness.
• User satisfaction has improved due to streamlined processes and reduced data entry duplication.
• The system contributes to enhanced safety by ensuring better oversight and handover of infants.

Conclusions:

• Automated IT systems, designed with user-centric principles, are crucial for effective public health screening programs.
• Continuous user engagement and adherence to digital service models are key to successful IT system adoption and program improvement.
• The redesigned system supports the NHS SCT Screening Programme's objectives for performance monitoring and quality assurance.