Liverpool Women’s Hospital is delighted to share that the hospital’s Digital Services and Hewitt Fertility Centre teams were winners at the HSJ Awards 2024 in the Driving Efficiency Through Technology category for their Fertility Patient Portal project.

The Hewitt Fertility Centre (HFC), part of Liverpool Women’s Hospital, have been developing a patient portal to transform fertility care by providing patients with real time access to their treatment information, appointments, and personalised support resources.

This digital transformation has enhanced patient engagement, reduced wait times, and streamlined staff workflows, resulting in a 30% increase in patient satisfaction and significant operational efficiencies. Developed through close collaboration with technology partners and extensive staff and patient input, the portal exemplifies the power of innovative digital solutions in improving healthcare delivery and patient experience.

The award winners were announced during the HSJ Awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21 November 2024 and members of the Digital Services and Hewitt Fertility Centre teams were in attendance to accept the award.

Dr Rachel Gregoire, Scientific Director for The Hewitt Fertility Centre, said: “I am thrilled that this project has won. The impact of this technology for fertility patients cannot be underestimated. Fertility treatment is a long, complex and mentally draining process and patients are given medical, scientific and sometimes legal information frequently through their fertility journey. The patient portal now allows them to access their personalised information discreetly, at a time that suits them and allows them to process the information when they are ready.”

The portal was first piloted in September 2023 and became available to patients in March 2024. Patients played a crucial role in the planning, development, and implementation of the portal. Focus groups and surveys were conducted to gather insight into patients’ needs. During the pilot phase, selected patients tested the portal and provided valuable feedback, which was instrumental in refining the user interface and features for the final product.

Paula Brennan, LWH Digital Programme Manager, said: “I am delighted that our Hewitt Centre Patient Portal has won the Driving Efficiency Through Technology HSJ Award. This recognition is a testament to our team's dedication to enhancing patient care and operational efficiency."

Following implementation, the portal has transcended departmental, organisational, and local boundaries, creating a ripple effect of technological enhancement through the department. This implementation has not only revolutionised patient care within the Hewitt Centre but also influenced other departments through its scalable and replicable model.

Jenny Hannon, LWH Executive Managing Director, commented: “I am extremely proud of our Digital Services and Hewitt Fertility Centre teams for this award success. I know this project is close to everyone’s heart and it has hugely benefitted our patients and improved their experience on their fertility journey. It is also a great example of two fantastic teams working together for the benefit of patients. Congratulations to everyone involved.”