Thank You - Corporate Information Team (aka ORBIT Team)

You will have seen, over many weeks now, how important the facts and figures around the spread of COVID-19 have become, especially when it comes to planning an effective national response.

Today we are shining a light on one of the teams that supplies these very important data.

Our Information Team produces figures on the COVID-19 pandemic daily and weekly for national reporting, and supports hospital staff monthly with their data requests. It all amounts to around 50 individual requests for data each week to support clinical care and operational performance in our Trust.

At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, a system to pull together figures relating to the new disease had to be created quickly, and be continually changed and improved as the situation developed.

At the same time as the team were separated by a move to home working, they came together to provide a brilliantly agile and flexible solution, providing the 'timely and reliable' reports that were so needed by the Trust as it developed its response .

Demand for data from NHS England and Improvement has meant submissions are requested 'at the drop of a hat': the team is required to produce three situation reports by 11.00am each day, along with figures on our weekly activity as hospital services are resumed.

Meetings previously held in person have resumed as virtual meetings on Microsoft Teams, and the whole team have become experts in running virtual sessions and sharing screens.

Working from home has affected everybody in the team in different ways, some finding it easier than others. The overall impact has been an increase in productivity, largely due to the commitment of all of the individuals involved.

David Walliker, OUH Chief Digital and Partnership Officer, says:

"We simply can't stress enough the importance of accurate data when taking decisions about our services, our processes and our response to an incident on this scale.

"People might not realise or understand how vital this work is to their healthcare, and it is wonderful that this team has been given some recognition for their work during this difficult period."

The team asks its clients for feedback on its services, and here is just one comment received:

"[A] timely, polite, accurate, helpful experience. Delivered request as needed. You have helped facilitate a project that will help us better understand how to deliver surgical care during a respiratory pandemic. Thank you."

We couldn't put it better ourselves. This is vital work which helps us understand how to care for our patients and keep them safe, so, thank you, for all that you do.