NHS Black Country ICB has shared an opportunity worth an estimated £354,000 for a digital inequalities support service to assist the ICB in improving digital enablement across the region, with citizens supported to gain “quicker and better” access to healthcare services.
The contracted service will support the ICS’s ongoing programme of work designed to address inequalities for the provision of digital services and equipment, which sees digital devices distributed via loans in parts of the community along with connectivity, training and ongoing device support.
The ICB states that it is “paramount” that the commissioned support service can demonstrate an existing level of engagement with local community groups and citizens across areas including Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. Additionally, the partner should be able to showcase “extensive” knowledge of the Black Country population and strong working relationships with local statutory and non-statutory organisations.
The contract is expected to run until July 2027; click here to find out more.
Spotlight on the Black Country
Over the course of April to June, HTN ran our annual features series exploring what’s new in digital and data across the ICS regions; Black Country ICB featured in our Midlands exploration. We took a look at strategies, digital representation on boards, virtual ward performance and heard insight from Black Country ICB itself on digital programmes across the region, including the Connected Programme highlighted in this tender.
In spring, we reported on The Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System’s announcement of a three-year partnership with ImproveWell, a digital platform designed to use real-time feedback to identify areas for improvement, which will see the solution used in maternity services region-wide.
Winter brought the news that The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust signed a 10-year contract for an EPR system designed to support integration with partner trust Walsall Healthcare, along with enabling integration with other services provided by the same supplier across Black Country ICS.
We also previously highlighted how Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has launched an app to support cancer patients, with funding supported by the West Midlands Cancer Alliance.
