The project issues
The London Borough of Harrow wanted to develop a means of sharing information between health service providers, including primary care groups, social services and other agencies involved in the provision of such services. At the same time, the project was to provide seamless, standardised and accurate welfare benefits and health advice across both the public and voluntary sectors through the development of a single web-based IT information source.

The Socitm Consulting solution
As Programme and Project Managers, we developed systems for the sustainable development of partnership working and information sharing across key social service, health and voluntary agencies. Using mental health teams as a pilot, two previously incompatible information systems for core health and social services providers were brought together, avoiding duplication and easing the flow of information. The system is now in use by the Harrow Unified Mental Health Service and a pilot is currently underway for remote access by GPs and Clinicians. Voluntary organisations were enabled to exchange information on-line to a common format and standard. Practitioners have instant access to the latest and best information through their networked PCs, for passing on direct to clients or informing the professional advice they offer.

Specific systems introduced included:

• A Caseworks system for recording incidents of Hate Crime and the means for sharing the information
• A Vitality Profile for Harrow, based on a series of agreed indicators and on GIS tools, which in the longer term will be used to identify need and target services
• An Adult and Community Learning On Line Directory, providing information on types of learning opportunities and a forum for providers in the borough
• A Harrow On Line Community Forum, based initially on an LGOL website, to be replaced by an APLAWS, and later a LAWS based website

E-Learning and E-Induction programmes were also introduced for staff and partners, including installation of the IdeA Learning Pool. The E-Learning Strategy is ongoing, and will form part of the Council’s wider Human Resources strategy.

The benefits to the client
This project has brought statutory and voluntary agencies much closer together, allowing them to improve the flow of consistent, accurate information between service providers, to simplify greatly and streamline the interface between end-users and the agencies which serve them. In addition it offers more comprehensive, user-friendly, standardised and up-to-date information and advice. Among those benefiting are ethnic minorities, refugees, people with disabilities, women, older people and those with mental health problems. The system was designed so that it could be extended to all other health and social care service users across Harrow. It will also be able to be replicated for services within other geographic areas.

Project identification
Client organisation: London Borough of Harrow
Client contact: Sam Curling, Head of IT, 0208 424 1714, sam.curling@harrow.gov.uk
Lead consultant: kim.cummings@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 4096