Meet the governors: Patients' records on paper will soon be a thing of the past, says KGH governor

Patients' records will soon be paper-less with the information being stored electronically so it can be accessed day or night without delay.

The governors at KGH have teamed up with the Northants Telegraph to give our readers an insight into their role and the work they do.

Angela Mason, a public governor at KGH representing East Northants, has written the third in a series of pieces about the governors which we will be bringing to you in the coming weeks.

Here she is talking about a change in patients notes, going from the paper file to an electronic version.

She said: "I am a retired nurse who wants to be useful to my local community.

"My spare time is taken up as a governor and as chairman for Higham and Rushden U3A.

"I wanted to share some exciting news with you!

"For many members of the public having to visit our hospital in recent months, suddenly things are definitely not the same.

"Whether it be for a visit to A&E or as an inpatient you may notice the nursing and medical staff gazing at what looks like a mobile phone.

"Do not despair, it’s not what you think it might be.

"Your hospital is using modern technology.

"Vitals technology is a computer program designed around your medical needs accessed via a hand held device.

"A digital template being used to collect and store your medical information diagnostics and observations.

"Not for much longer will patients' records be kept on paper.

"An end to those extremely heavy notes which often accompany patients and take up a great deal of storage.

"Existing patient medical records will all eventually be scanned from paper and placed onto secure digital storage which can be accessed by doctors and nurses treating you day and night without delay.

"After you have finished reading this please consider becoming part of the hospital as a trust member."

To find out more click hereThere are 25 governors on the KGH Council, including 13 public elected governors representing the four districts in which the majority of patients live: Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and East Northants and one governor representing the rest of the UK.

A key role of the council of governors is to hold the non-executive directors, both individually and collectively, to account for the performance of the board of directors and to represent the interests of NHS foundation trust members, staff and the public.

The Northants Telegraph will be hearing from more of the governors in the coming weeks and if you have any questions to put to them, email them to [email protected]

To read the first piece from the governors, click hereTo read the second piece from the governors, click here