This summer, Ideagen InPhase hit the road for three unforgettable Patient Safety Leadership Summits in Liverpool, London, and Birmingham, bringing together passionate healthcare leaders to explore the state of patient safety, the challenges they face, and how digital innovation, like Ideagen InPhase, can lead to meaningful improvements. Each event offered a unique, regionally rooted perspective, but the energy, collaboration, and commitment to better care was consistent throughout.

Opening conversations

Each summit kicked off with a warm welcome from the Ideagen InPhase team, with Dominic Emerton, Andrew Bingham, Bijan Azar and Alistair Brown setting the tone for open, honest, and interactive conversations. From Liverpool to London and on to Birmingham, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a presentation - it was a dialogue, where everyone’s voice mattered.

Attendees embraced this approach from the outset, diving straight into discussions around major national shifts such as NHS England restructuring, ICB development, and the real-world implications of these changes on patient safety. The atmosphere was relaxed but purposeful, with a healthy dose of humor and lots of lively discussion. It quickly became clear that healthcare leaders are hungry for systems that not only work but empower teams to make a difference.

Technology, transparency, and triangulation

A key theme across all three events was the challenge and opportunity of technology in patient safety. From fragmented systems and duplicated data to the frustrations of manual reporting and lack of integration, the pain points were loud and clear. Leaders spoke about how existing tech can feel more like a burden than a help - particularly when data entry becomes a tick box exercise rather than a meaningful tool for insight and improvement.

We introduced our true "one stop shop” approach - an adaptable, user-friendly way to bring all patient safety data into one place. Across sessions, Paul Clinton’s product showcases wowed attendees, with new features, real-time dashboards, and future-ready AI tools that had people buzzing with ideas. Many shared feature wish lists that they were thrilled to see already in the product roadmap.

The sessions on triangulation were a highlight, especially for those tackling the challenge of turning disconnected data into actionable learning. From trend analysis and incident prevention to risk stratification and health inequality insights, attendees could see how AI and triangulation could transform their current approach to reporting and improvement.

Case studies that inspired the room

The case studies sparked some of the most insightful conversations at each summit.

The Acacium Group

At the London event, Karen Mathews-Shard, Global Clinical Director from Acacium led an eye-opening session on data migration, detailing Acacium’s journey to Ideagen InPhase, after advocating for Datix for 20+ years. The limitations of their previous platform, Datix, included inflexible reporting mechanisms, reliance on manual spreadsheets, and inefficiencies in adapting to different regional requirements such as languages and currencies. To modernize their governance processes, Acacium transitioned to Ideagen InPhase, an adaptable platform offering global scalability, configurable forms, and enhanced usability across regions.

The implementation has yielded substantial improvements, including automated workflows, real-time dashboards, seamless integration with HR and finance systems, and a user-friendly interface praised by staff. Early feedback highlights increased efficiency, improved reporting, and streamlined processes that align with their multinational operations, positioning Acacium for continued innovation and operational excellence.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Foundation Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, a leading acute care provider in Kent, faced significant governance challenges due to outdated systems and fragmented processes. Reporting inefficiencies, manual workflows, and data siloing hindered oversight and risk management. Transitioning to Ideagen InPhase allowed the trust to centralize operations, replacing multiple tools with one cohesive platform.

Customizable dashboards, streamlined reporting categories, and automated controls empowered the trust to enhance data quality, improve staff engagement, and reduce administrative burdens. With incident reporting increasing from 1,300 to over 2,000 per month, MTW achieved measurable improvements in patient safety and operational efficiency. Shortlisted for two HSJ awards, the trust is now positioned as a leader in governance transformation, continuing to innovate with Ideagen InPhase to address health inequalities and optimize outcomes.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust shared an engaging presentation on their remarkable transformation with Ideagen InPhase. Faced with a rigid, two-decade-old governance system that struggled to meet modern demands, their Patient Safety Team, led by Robert Conyers and Kate Beardsley, highlighted how they transitioned to a flexible, centralized platform.

By simplifying reporting categories, leveraging customizable dashboards, and streamlining workflows, the hospital achieved improved data accessibility, reduced administrative burdens, and cultivated a stronger reporting culture. Their story underscored the profound impact of preparation, innovation, and adaptability in driving patient safety and operational excellence.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) faced significant challenges with an outdated governance system that hindered innovation, data accessibility, and compliance with NHS standards. To transform their operations, GMMH implemented Ideagen InPhase, a highly configurable platform offering LFPSE readiness, seamless integration with existing systems, and automated reporting capabilities.

This transition streamlined incident reporting, improved data tracking, and simplified user permissions, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. Real-time dashboards empowered clinicians to monitor trends such as patient restraints, while tailored forms and triangulation capabilities delivered actionable insights for trust-wide improvement. Staff reported increased confidence in using the system, with one manager noting they could now generate reports independently. Positioned for continuous innovation, GMMH is exploring AI and custom app development to further enhance governance and patient safety.

Honesty, change and culture

The workshops were the heart of each summit. Attendees weren’t afraid to be honest - about the disconnect between NHSE and ICBs, the need for clearer communication and direction, and the frustration of input-heavy systems that deliver little in return. What people want is transparency, the freedom to lead locally, and systems that support, not complicate, care delivery.

One standout topic was the risk of technology replacing the human element of care. Attendees warned against systems that feel like tick box exercises, and highlighted the importance of preserving instinct, context, and compassion. Technology should support staff, not distract from patients.

AI in healthcare – the words on everyone’s lips

As part of our drive to support your future success in patient safety, governance and compliance, Paul Clinton, Head of Product at InPhase, demonstrated our product roadmap for the next 12 months and how AI will be integrated. With AI appearing everywhere, Paul explored what areas in patient safety AI could make the most positive impacts, including automating workflows to save crucial time, analysis of large datasets quickly for faster risk mitigation and faster, more detailed insights and automatically generated action plan suggestions for improvement.

Learning, sharing, supporting

One of the most heartening parts of the summer summits was seeing just how willing attendees were to share ideas, contact details, and advice with one another. Each event was a powerful reminder of the strength of the Ideagen InPhase user community, and how valuable peer learning is in healthcare transformation.

From streamlining workflows to embedding cultural change, from paperless boards to real-time reporting, the Ideagen InPhase community continues to push boundaries—and generously shares their lessons with others.

We’re incredibly proud of the energy, honesty, and collaboration that filled each of our 2024 Patient Safety Leadership Summits. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Liverpool, London, and Birmingham. We’re already looking forward to next year—and the next wave of progress in patient safety.