BSSNG ICB ReSPECT form is now available across England via NRL

Since early 2022, the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area has been at the forefront of digital healthcare innovation, implementing a digital Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) form in collaboration with Black Pear Software.

This form, which can be efficiently created, updated, and shared across the BNSSG Integrated Care Board (ICB) region, marks a significant step forward in patient care coordination. Over 8,500 digital forms are now successfully integrated with local GP practices, hospices, acute trusts, NHS 111, and out-of-hours (OOH) services. The National Record Locator (NRL) system further boosts accessibility by offering an index of pointers to the latest ReSPECT documents. This allows clinicians, healthcare workers, and their administrative teams to seamlessly access crucial information regarding patient wishes and preferences for care delivery, irrespective of their location within the NHS and approved social care settings.

For patients in BNSSG, this development means that in emergencies requiring ambulance services, paramedics can instantly access their ReSPECT forms via tablets, control centres, or clinical hubs to provide tailored patient care. This advancement is particularly beneficial for the South West Ambulance Service (SWAST), which serves a large area that includes seven Integrated Care Services, ensuring that patient care preferences are respected and implemented effectively

Dr Andrew Appleton- BSSNG ReSPECT form lead, GP and Digital Health Consultant

Dr David Jehring- Black Pear CEO

Black Pear Software Driving Integrated Care