THE innovative use of digital technology to improve health and social care services in the borough has scooped a national award.

The Share to Care digital programme has won an iNetwork Excellence award, which recognises innovation in the public sector.

Share to Care is a new way organisations in the borough are securely sharing patient information.

It makes it easier and quicker for health and social care professionals to get the information they need to provide care to patients.

The programme securely connects different medical and care computer systems together.

This means that when patients give their consent professionals can see accurate and up-to-date information, which helps them deliver appropriate care and prevents patients having to re-tell their story every time they see a different professional.

Share to Care was named as the best example of ‘Excellence in Information Sharing and Security’ by iNetwork.

A number of organisations in the borough have been involved in the successful creation and delivery of Share to Care, including the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group, Wigan Council, all 63 of its GP practices, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and 5 Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust.

David Willis, head of information governance at the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that Share to Care has been nationally recognised.

“It is a first class initiative which through digital technology has brought organisations together for the benefit of the patient.”

Dr Tim Dalton, a GP and chairman of the borough's Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “It is testament to the success of Share to Care that it runs across all NHS organisations within the borough and has buy in from every single one of its GP practices.

“We have also been able to involve smaller organisations, such as Wigan and Leigh Hospice, care homes and wider care providers, who are now members, and our future plans are ambitious.”

Cllr Terry Halliwell, cabinet member for customer transformation at the council, said: “We pride ourselves on our digital innovation and our ability to work together for the benefit of our residents, and this award highlights our success in this approach.”