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‘Transformational’ NHS social media tool launches

pharmafile | April 29, 2014 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing NHS, digital, healthberry, king, social media 

London-based startup firm HealthBerry has developed a social media web and mobile application that is set to transform how the NHS engages with patients and providers.

The HealthBerry system works by aggregating feedback left across channels such as Twitter and Facebook, along with more tailored ones such as Care Connect and Patient Opinion.

The aim of the platform is for the organisations involved to be better armed with information regarding health services, to promote self-care and to listen and engage with patients.

Founder of HealthBerry, Dawson King says: “Managing and responding to social media is another challenge to be added to the list of competing priorities in healthcare organsiations. HealthBerry makes it easy to collate patient views and truly respond to local healthcare agendas publicised on social media.”

The startup, which launched its beta last week, has already signed-up more than 18 NHS hospitals and three GPs in less than seven days.

The launch fits in with NHS England’s recently announced guidance aimed at increasing the use of social media in healthcare in order to improve transparency, health service delivery and patient experience.

Putting Patients First, the NHS England business plan for 2014/15, makes it a priority for NHS organisations to obtain direct feedback from patients, their families and NHS staff.

NHS England says in a statement that it is aware of the role that social networking can play in challenging stigma, influencing how people view their health and care condition, how they relate to organisations and the choices they make about how to address their concerns.

It hopes by using the HealthBerry system that it can effectively manage its social media presence. “We particularly like its capability to channel all social media content (from Twitter, Facebook, Patient Opinion, NHS Choices etc.) to one platform from where our staff can respond,” says Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

“‘Digital by Default’ is a mantra for many public sector organisations, and rightly so. They must use social and digital media to hear views from all sections of society and understand what people are saying about the services they want to receive.”

One issue that affects all social media platforms gaining popularity is an increase in possibilities for the network to be misused and manipulated by individuals and third parties, so quite how Healthberry will be moderated effectively to please all in a healthcare arena will be an ongoing challenge.

But King adds: “Social media platforms are critical to giving patients a say in how services are designed and reformed, as well as providing NHS organisations the chance to celebrate their successes and the great work of their staff, which will help build staff engagement.”

Brett Wells

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