HOW WE DEVELOP STANDARDS
Our work is driven by our membership and by our involvement with public and patient bodies. All understand the critical importance of high quality care records. We work on projects together which seek to develop standards for care records in areas such as child health records, care planning and outpatient letters.The first stage of the plan is the project proposals which sets out our approach, what we plan to deliver, the approximate timescales and the costs involved. In some cases a funded ‘discovery’ phase will be included.
We create an ‘expert user group’ of all those who need to be involved in defining a care record standard for a particular area of care. These would typically include members of the public, carers, patients, organisations that represent their interests, doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals.
The key things to cover in this stage include:
- Project proposal
- Discovery report (if agreed)
- Plan and resource/cost plan
- Contract
When a project has been approved and is funded, the next stage is to get it set up. We assemble a team and establish the project plan and resources.
The key things to cover in this stage include:
- Project Initiation Document (PID) (which outlines what will be covered in the project)
- Detailed plan, including resourcing and costs
- Draft consultation plan which outlines how we will engage with professionals, patients and others. Depending on the project this may include workshops, one-to-one interviews and/or surveys.
- Endorsement plan which highlights the steps we will take to get support from relevant member bodies.
Before consultation begins, the team will draft an information model, which highlights what data needs to be shared, as well as supporting documents, which will be refined after targeted discussions and input from patients, professionals and vendors.
We research literature and current practice and ensure that the standards we define are robust and based on clear evidence of what works best.Â
The key things to be drafted in this phase include:
- Information standard
- Implementation guidance
- Safety case
- Hazard log
- Final report sections – evidence review, vendors, information model
- Assurance checklist
Consultation is a critical part of the PRSB’s process. Successful consultation engages all stakeholders effectively and informs the creation of the final product. We liaise with a wide range of patients, carers, professionals and system suppliers during this stage of our work to ensure we can deliver a final product that will be fit for purpose.
The key deliverables in this phase include:
- Webinar findings
- Interview transcriptions
- Survey report
- Workshop findings
Once analysis of all the findings has taken place, the PRSB will publish the final standard on the PRSB website in draft form, and publicise it widely.
During this phase we deliver:
- A final report
- Information model and supporting materials including examples
- Website and publications materials, including a press release or news story
- Share the news with our members and stakeholders so they are able to alert their own members that the standard is now ready for implementation
- ​​​​​​​Lessons learned report
We undertake independent assurance and scrutinise our work at every stage to ensure our standards are fit for purpose and worthy of national endorsement. We start working with key members and stakeholders that we would like to endorse the project early on. Once the final report is out this can be distributed for approval by endorsing bodies.
In this phase we include:
- Final project stakeholder list
- Endorsement statements
Standards aren’t useful unless they’re used in action, which is why we aim to track their use after publication. We provide a responsive support service so that we can receive comments, provide help and answer questions from anyone involved in defining or using our standards. All our standards projects plan for implementation and maintenance from the onset.
Key deliverables from this phase include:
- Implementation plans, which may include timelines suggested by NHS
- Adoption metrics to understand where and how standards are being used
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRSB
Prof Maureen Baker, PRSB Chair
"Standards are no use unless they are used. The launch of our scheme is a landmark point in joining the forces of our unparalleled network of health and care professions and people with system vendors who are crucial to delivering transformation in care"
David Turner, CTO at NHSX
“At NHSX we work closely with the PRSB and other partners to drive the adoption of standards to support better care and improved interoperability. Now is the time for vendors, clinicians, social care workers to join forces and adopt standards for a future focused on better, safer and more integrated health and care.”
Jonathan Papworth, Person Centred Software
"There is nothing better for software providers than a clear specification of the work needed to meet an objective, and PRSB is proving key in providing the specification for interoperability."