Pennine Porter Request System (PPRS) scoops Innovation award

The Pennine Porter Request System is a revolutionary new computer system

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's new Porter Request System was named the overall winner of the Innovation Award at the Health Estates & Facilities Management Association (HefmA) annual conference this month.

The Pennine Porter Request System (PPRS) launched on 15 December 2014 and is a revolutionary new computer system, which is used by the Trust porters to manage the booking of porter services across its four hospitals, North Manchester General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, and Rochdale Infirmary.

Staff can request porter services through an online portal and the work is then allocated and updated by the porters while they are out on site using their new iPod touch devices.

Departments book in their requests at a time that suits them, which can either be in advance or as an urgent request. Staff can then check the status of the tasks they have booked online, where they can view the jobs booked and highlight any special requirements for the porter request.

Dan Reason, Site Services Manager at North Manchester General Hospital, said: “The porter service is much more efficient now and provides improved levels of service. The input from the porters themselves into how the system should act, look and feel was amazing. Ultimately they know how the service runs and they were pivotal in moulding the system to the service and the Trust’s requirements.”

Pam Miller, Deputy Director of Estates and Facilities at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Winning this award is a fantastic scoop for the Trust and well-deserved recognition for a really excellent system that has proved successful in supporting patient care and improving the patient experience. It has also demonstrated great work between the Trust’s Facilities and IM&T departments.”

The 2015 Annual HefmA Conference was held in Blackpool on 14 and 15 May and the theme of the conference was Better, Brighter, Together, which incorporated the use of new and innovative technology to deliver a safe environment.

The HefmA is made up of eight regional branches across England and 380 directors and senior managers of estates and facilities in the NHS.