Shared system strengthens partnership between health care and policing

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) and Dyfed-Powys Police have developed a computer system which will improve efficiency in the event of a major incident.
Hywel Dda UHB and Dyfed-Powys Police have been working in partnership to develop the system which will allow Dyfed-Powys Police officers to access their police computer systems over a secure Internet connection, from Hywel Dda UHB computers.
Officers will have a dedicated room in Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, where they can access the system and, last month, representatives of both Hywel Dda UHB and Dyfed-Powys Police met at Withybush Hospital’s Emergency Department to mark its launch.
During an emergency or a major incident (such as a fire or flood) the system will enable the transfer of generic patient information from Withybush, Glangwili or Bronglais Hospitals to a specialist Police Documentation Team at Police Headquarters (HQ), Carmarthen.
The information transfer system enables Dyfed-Powys Police and Hywel Dda UHB to link names and addresses to unknown or unconscious patients; assisting medical staff and members of the public who may be searching for a relative caught up in the incident.
Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We’re pleased that we have been able to work with our colleagues in Dyfed-Powys Police to develop a system that will be key for both of us in the event of a major incident. I would like to reassure the public that no sensitive information will be passed on using this system.”
The room will also be used by Police Community Support Officers who, under a new scheme, will routinely show a regular presence at emergency departments across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, and can use the room for taking statements, rather than taking people to the police station.
The previous system of patient information transfer took more than an hour from patient registration at the hospital to being received by the Documentation Team at Police HQ - this new system has reduced this time to just six minutes.
Liane James, Deputy Chief Constable, Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “I wish to thank Hywel Dda University Health Board for presenting us with the opportunity to establish this computer system which will reduce the time we can share information with the public in the event of a major incident. The facilities will also assist local officers in their role in safeguarding the community and providing a presence at Emergency Departments throughout the Health Board area”.

Photo: Pictured left to right are:
Back Row: Sergeant Catrin Thomas, Peter Nicholas Dyfed Powys Local Resilience Forum Co-ordinator, Police Community Support Officer Liam Woodward, Detective Sergeant Steve Williams.
Front Row: Teresa Owen Director of Public Health, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Deputy Chief Constable Liane James, Dr Iain Robertson-Steel, Associate Medical Director / Hospital Clinical Lead (Withybush Hospital).