Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has begun piloting a new digital tool aimed at helping community mental health teams identify patients at risk of deterioration earlier, supporting more proactive and targeted care.
The Management and Supervisions Tool (MaST) brings together existing patient record data into a single, accessible view, making it easier for clinicians to spot changes in a patient’s condition and prioritise interventions accordingly. By using predictive analytics, the tool flags potential risks and helps teams focus their attention where it is most needed.
Supporting teams with complex caseloads
The pilot has been rolled out across adult community mental health teams, where clinicians are often managing large and complex caseloads. Early feedback suggests the tool is already providing tangible benefits.
Staff report that MaST is enabling them to identify emerging issues more quickly, while also reducing the time spent manually reviewing multiple systems. This improved visibility allows teams to respond sooner to patients who may be at risk, helping to strengthen patient safety and outcomes.
Driving efficiency and releasing clinical time
A key advantage of the tool lies in its ability to streamline workflows that previously relied on manual processes. Clinicians can now easily see:
- Patients who have been admitted or discharged
- Individuals requiring follow-up
- Changes in care needs or risk levels
These efficiencies are expected to generate cumulative time savings across teams. Even modest reductions in daily administrative tasks could translate into several hours of additional clinical time each week, allowing staff to focus more on direct patient care.
Improving care quality and consistency
Beyond operational efficiencies, MaST is also helping to highlight broader opportunities for service improvement. For example, the system can support teams in identifying patients who may be ready to step down from secondary care, as well as ensuring care standards and reviews are completed consistently.
This enhanced oversight is expected to contribute to more effective and coordinated care delivery across services.
Plans to expand the rollout
Following early success, the Trust is exploring options to extend the tool to other services, including older adult and early intervention teams. This expansion forms part of a wider digital transformation programme focused on improving care through smarter use of data.
Dr Laura McGowan, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This pilot is a good example of how we are using digital innovation to support our staff and improve care for patients. It aligns closely with our Trust strategy and the ambitions set out in the NHS 10-year plan, particularly around using data and technology to enable more proactive, preventative care.
“While it is still early days, we are already seeing how better use of information can help teams prioritise more effectively, improve oversight of risk, and release time for direct patient care. Our focus is on using tools like this to support clinical decision-making, strengthen safety, and help staff manage increasing demands in a sustainable way.”
The Trust will continue to evaluate the pilot in the coming months, working closely with frontline teams to assess its impact and identify further opportunities for improvement.
Image credit: iStock
