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Empowering the Patient Advocacy Service with Dynamics 365: a journey with ANS

Dynamics 365

Background

In the ever-evolving landscape of independent advocacy, the Patients Advocacy Service (PAS) stands as a beacon of support for individuals detained under mental health and criminal legislation. As a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring patients’ rights are understood and respected, PAS plays a critical role within The State Hospital. Registered separately as a charity with OSCR and Companies House, PAS champions the voices of those who need it most. Recently, PAS embarked on a transformative journey with ANS to adopt Dynamics 365, enhancing their operational efficiency and independent advocacy efforts.

The challenge

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, PAS recognised the need to migrate their files to a cloud service to maintain confidentiality and establish independence from the hospital’s IT infrastructure. The hospital’s system, which provided PAS with computers and data access, posed risks to their autonomy. The pandemic catalysed their efforts, allowing PAS to commence their cloud migration journey successfully.

However, they soon realised the necessity of a robust database system capable of generating their own statistics and reports. The existing hospital system was cumbersome and relied heavily on manual processes. PAS sought a partner to implement Dynamics 365, aiming to develop customised features that would cater to their expanding business needs and streamline their workload.

The solution

We at ANS collaborated closely with PAS to bring their vision to life. By leveraging Dynamics 365, PAS could ensure the privacy and security of their sensitive conversations with patients. The transition to this modern database system was significant, revolutionising their operations and simplifying their workflow.

Dynamics 365 saved PAS a considerable amount of time, allowing them to prioritise patient care over administrative tasks. Reporting became seamless, eliminating the need for manual graph creation allowing for cost saving without the requirement for an administrator. To address their limited IT expertise, we provided comprehensive training modules, empowering the PAS team to use the system effectively.

Additionally, with Power BI, PAS could generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for various stakeholders at the touch of a button. These reports not only tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) but also provided valuable insights for continuous improvement. By analysing data on contact rates and activity across different wards, PAS could make informed decisions and optimise their services accordingly.

The outcome

The implementation of Dynamics 365 has profoundly affected PAS, enabling them to dedicate more time to independent advocacy by significantly reducing their administrative burden. This increased productivity allows PAS to focus on their primary mission: supporting and representing patients.

The tailored system meets the unique needs of the charity, ensuring comprehensive data collection and analysis. Rebecca Carr, Service Manager at Patients Advocacy Service, reflected on the transformation: “Overall, the impact has been positive in all areas such as the team, and the work we’re doing and recording, which is ultimately the most important thing as it shows the work we do with patients.”

The future

Looking ahead, PAS remains confident in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their current system. With a long-term vision of expanding their reach and services, they anticipate that Dynamics 365 and SharePoint will continue to adapt to their evolving needs and challenges. While the current setup is well-suited for their specific circumstances, PAS trusts that ANS will be there to provide solutions for any future scenarios.

At ANS, we believe that the best tech should be accessible to everyone, and so are proud to support PAS in their vital work. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership, ensuring they have the tools and technology needed to champion patient rights and independent advocacy.