An employee at the North East’s largest council has claimed a national award for helping to put data at the heart of the digital transformation of adult social care.

 

Marion Ingleby, strategic manager in adult social care with Durham County Council, won the Leadership Award category at this year’s NHS England Digital and Data Awards.

 

They recognise the achievements, particularly over the last two years, of individuals who work within a digital, data, technology or informatics role within health and social care.

 

Marion’s award is in recognition of her leading a project on behalf of more than 800 council employees, NHS Provider partners and allied professionals to enable access to a Shared Care Record. This has resulted in improved adult social care practice and ways of working.

 

Her worked started by ensuring health services and the local authority were working strategically together with significant relationships built upon, including with the digital lead of the integrated care system.

 

Frontline staff, such as social workers can now gain immediate access to a joint health and social care record that provides a single view of service users, without the need to chase requests for information between health and social care partner agencies.

 

Marion said: “Harnessing the power of digital and data can ensure change is delivered to improve outcomes for people. We have significant potential to make a huge difference to the lives of service users.”

 

Cllr Chris Hood, Cabinet member for adults and health, said: “A huge well done to Marion on winning this coveted award. We know how important it is that digital technology is at the forefront of adult social care moving forward and she has really gone above and beyond to ensure this within her own team, with service users benefiting in the process.”

 

The Digital and Data Awards were open to clinicians and professionals, from apprentices through to senior managers, working in the NHS and social care.

 

In total, over 300 people were nominated for the awards, with judges impressed by the quality of each and every nomination.

 

The NHS Long Term Plan sets out commitments to a “digitally-enabled” future. Its aim is to provide digital access to NHS services for patients and also ensure clinicians have digital access to patient records and care plans.