Improving Access and Clinician Wellbeing: A Case Study from NHS Bradford and Craven District Talking Therapies

Earlier this week, we co-hosted a webinar with PCMIS on the power of interoperability and how seamless integration between technology providers can support clinicians and deliver service outcomes. We were thrilled to be joined by Daniel Moran, Team Manager at NHS Bradford and Craven District Talking Therapies, to present a case study on how Limbic Access delivered impact to clinicians and patients. Let’s dive into it!

How did Limbic Access increase access?

Last spring, when NHS Bradford and Craven District Talking Therapies first explored using Limbic, their primary goal was to increase access to their services, particularly focusing on key performance indicators. They already had an existing form on their website, but it led to numerous dropouts and incomplete submissions. With the integration of Limbic Access, Bradford sought to reduce these dropout rates and reach hard-to-access groups, such as the BAME community, LGBTQ+, and older adults.

We started by conducting a thorough service mapping exercise where we reviewed their current forms and identified essential information to transfer. This collaborative process ensured that the transition was smooth and the service was optimised for better performance.

Before implementing Limbic, the service received approximately 6,900 referrals over six months. With Limbic, referrals skyrocketed to over 8,000, including significant rises in key demographics: 2,200 BAME referrals (up from 2,000) and 700 LGBTQ+ referrals (up from 400). This notable increase underscores Limbic’s effectiveness in increasing accessibility to mental healthcare services for underserved communities.

How did Limbic Access impact the client experience?

Limbic Access has made positive transformations to the client experience at Bradford. One notable improvement is the reduction of the two-week wait time for assessment. Using the information provided by Limbic, clinicians can now make better-informed decisions and allocate resources more efficiently. This has led to more appropriate referrals, fewer step-ups and step-downs, and empowered clinicians to make informed assessments.

Here's what patients had to say about their experience with Limbic Access:

‘It was nice to just be able to type freely, I was worried about opening up initially, but it felt good to get [my feelings] out.’

'Really easy and quick to use!'

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How Limbic improved clinician wellbeing and preparedness

The integration of Limbic has had a remarkable impact on clinician wellbeing and preparedness. One of the standout features appreciated by the staff is the completion of mandatory documentation (MDS) before client assessments, which saves significant time. Limbic Access also determines the correct ADSMs with 93% accuracy, which is particularly beneficial for identifying complex cases such as trauma or OCD. With much of the preliminary information already gathered, clinicians can focus on high-quality, targeted assessments.

‘I think it’s fantastic that we have certain details prior to the assessment, such as pronouns, drug and alcohol use, risk, etc. This helps me to mentally prepare for the assessment, and also if I input the information that Limbic has already provided on the assessment, it means the client is not having to repeat themselves, and it allows more time to be spent on identifying the main problem, conveying empathy.’ - Clinician at NHS Bradford and Craven District Talking Therapies

The future of the integration

Looking ahead, Bradford and Craven District Talking Therapies plan to expand its use of Limbic Access in several ways. Given Bradford’s diverse population, the service is working to integrate multiple languages into Limbic to allow clients to read and type in their native languages.

There is also great anticipation surrounding Limbic Care, our generative AI therapy companion, that will be launched in the next few weeks to support patients along the treatment pathway. Introducing Limbic Access and Limbic Care have not only improved the efficiency of care delivery but also fostered a positive, motivated atmosphere among staff.

'Working with the guys at Limbic is a breath of fresh air, they are forward thinking, they listen, they are responsive and most importantly patient focused and really do align with our values as a trust, it is not often you get that from a tech company, especially when you're not necessarily the big fish in the pond!' - Chris Hunt, Head of Improvement & Innovation.

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We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Bradford & Craven District Talking Therapies as their experience with Limbic Access stands as a testament to the impact of interoperability in mental healthcare. By increasing patient access, improving the client experience, enhancing clinician preparedness, and maintaining high staff morale, Limbic Access has proven to be an invaluable asset at Bradford. We look forward to seeing how the integration can continue improving staff wellbeing and enhance assessments!

To learn more about how Limbic delivers service outcomes and empowers clinicians, watch the full webinar here.

Learn more about Limbic Care and Limbic Access.