NHS Grampian Case Study: Consolidating Clinical Knowledge and Streamlining Access in Emergency Care

Organisation: NHS Grampian

Department: Emergency Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Setting: NHS Emergency Medicine

Tool Introduced: Eolas Medical Platform

Use Case: Rota visibility, guideline access, induction, and clinical decision support

‍

The Challenge

The Emergency Department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary faced persistent issues stemming from fragmented systems:

• Rosters were spread across three platforms, then manually compiled into a weekly spreadsheet

• Intranet search functionality was unreliable, hindering quick access to clinical guidance

• Updates to protocols required lengthy applications to IT teams, delaying implementation

• Guideline access was inconsistent, particularly for staff working remotely or using mobile devices

• New staff often lacked orientation resources before starting, making early shifts more difficult

These limitations slowed decision-making, frustrated staff, and created unnecessary inefficiencies in delivering urgent care.

‍

The Solution

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ED adopted Eolas Medical to centralise access to rotas, guidelines, teaching materials, and induction content. The platform was rolled out department-wide through simple QR code access and is maintained directly by clinicians.

This clinician-led setup allows real-time updates without relying on IT, and the keyword-based search function significantly outperforms the existing intranet system.

Impact on Efficiency and Workflow

• Clinicians now avoid logging into slow NHS desktops, saving 5–10 minutes per engagement

• For those unable to access Microsoft Teams remotely, the platform saves 10–20 minutes or more for accessing rotas and teaching materials

• Junior doctors benefit from at-the-bedside access to protocols, reducing time and decision friction

‍

Improvements in Patient Care

• Faster access to guidelines supports better real-time decisions, particularly for junior staff

• Senior staff experience reduced cognitive load, allowing more focus on critically unwell or complex patients

• Real-world examples include:

• Managing chest pain protocols within the ED when inpatient beds are full

• Rapid access to DVLA guidance following seizures or TIAs, enabling faster, safer discharge

‍

Staff Satisfaction

• Staff report reduced frustration compared to using NHS intranet systems

• Many access the platform daily and have requested access even from outside the department

• Clinicians report it as a valuable tool for learning and reference, both during and outside of clinical shifts

‍

Quantitative Feedback

Team efficiency - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of access - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guideline adherence - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Patient care impact - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Staff satisfaction - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‍

Testimonial

“Eolas has provided a solution for the department to have all material needed for running the ED in one place and quickly accessed at point of care. It’s clinician-managed, which means updates happen quickly without needing lengthy IT processes. You can also access information away from NHS computers — useful during transfers or at the bedside.”

‍

Key Takeaways

• NHS Grampian has used Eolas to consolidate fragmented systems into one mobile-accessible platform

• Clinicians save time, reduce cognitive load, and improve decision-making with bedside access

• The ability to control and update content independently is crucial for responsiveness and relevance

‍

‍