27/01/2026
We recognise the immense dedication of our clinical teams, who work tirelessly to ensure patients receive the care they deserve.
Behind the scenes, there are also teams whose work is vital in supporting frontline services and keeping our hospitals running smoothly.
One such team is our business intelligence team, and today we are shining a spotlight on their work.
Working in close partnership with clinical staff from the discharge suite, the team has developed a new Digital Discharge Suite app for the discharge lounge at James Cook Hospital. This collaborative piece of work has transformed the way the discharge suite operates.
Prior to the introduction of the app, the team relied on paper-based records to track patients through the discharge process. Key information such as medications, discharge letters, porter requests and transport bookings were all recorded manually. This approach made it difficult to access real-time information, update records quickly and safely store large volumes of patient notes.
Since the app was introduced in January 2026, it has been warmly welcomed by clinical teams. The app provides rapid access to patient information, significantly reducing the time spent searching for paper records and enabling quicker, more informed clinical decision-making.
The comprehensive digital solution supports faster patient registration and discharge, offering real-time visibility of patient status. This has improved department management, reduced delays, and helped minimise the time patients wait to be transferred.
Senior information manager (data development and reporting services) Michael Souter, said: “This app was designed with the clinical team for the clinical team. By working closely with colleagues in the discharge suite, we’ve been able to create a that genuinely reflects how they work day to day, supports safer decision-making, and ultimately improves the experience for both staff and patients.”
Operational clinical matron Nicola McPhillips, said: “The Digital Discharge Suite app has made a real difference to how we manage patient flow in the discharge lounge. Having accurate, real-time information at our fingertips has streamlined our processes, reduced delays, and allowed our team to focus more on patient care whilst improving flow, staff and patient experience”
