Thalamos has launched its eMHA by Thalamos platform with a second new customer in a week by going live at Dorset HealthCare, marking a significant milestone in modernising Mental Health Act (MHA) care in the region.
Following on from East London NHS Foundation Trust, the adoption of eMHA by Thalamos at Dorset HealthCare marks an important shift towards digitising Mental Health Act (MHA) processes, moving away from traditional paper-based systems. Conventional methods for handling MHA assessments are often reliant on manual paperwork, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential errors. The eMHA by Thalamos platform, however, enables staff to complete and share statutory MHA forms securely and digitally from any internet-enabled device, offering a more accurate and efficient approach to managing these critical workflows.
Dr Faisil Sethi, former Chief Medical Officer at Dorset HealthCare and now in the same role at Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said that Mental Health Act digitisation is a long, long time coming.
“In my mind, detaining anyone under the Mental Health Act and depriving them of their liberty is a really significant event. It can be distressing and it can be life changing,” he explained. “It should be done with due consideration of all the alternatives and for the shortest time possible. Now, to make that happen, we need to get our processes much, much better and that’s what Thalamos will do through the digitisation of the Mental Health Act. So, for me, it’s all about better patient experience and better patient outcomes.”
“Striving to provide better patient outcomes is what we are all about at Thalamos,” said CEO Arden Tomison. “It’s a real pleasure to work with an organisation that feels the same.
“Working with Dorset HealthCare to deliver eMHA by Thalamos to its frontline mental health workers is another important step in digitising such a vital care pathway.”
“This is more than just digitising forms – it’s been about modernising how we support patients and professionals under the Mental Health Act.”
Driving digital transformation in mental health care
The adoption of eMHA by Thalamos at Dorset HealthCare is a forward-looking initiative designed to improve outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals alike. By streamlining administrative tasks and reducing risks, the eMHA by Thalamos platform empowers clinicians to focus on delivering high-quality care to those in need.
This launch aligns with Dorset HealthCare’s broader ambitions outlined in its Your Future Hospital strategy, which aims to transform healthcare delivery across the region. This long-term programme focuses on delivering person-centred care by combining cutting-edge technology with modern, flexible facilities. By prioritising digital innovation like eMHA by Thalamos, Dorset HealthCare is addressing both immediate operational needs and its overarching commitment to improving patient experiences and outcomes.
Emma Dicker, Digital Services NHS Project Team Manager at Dorset HealthCare, commented: “This project has been about more than just digitising forms – it’s been about modernising how we support patients and professionals under the Mental Health Act. From engaging with clinicians, AMHPs, and admin teams to designing training, overcoming challenges, and ensuring readiness, this has been a collective effort.”
She added: “Together with Thalamos, we’ve brought in a solution that will reduce paperwork, improve compliance, and make processes smoother for everyone involved. I’m so proud of the dedication and teamwork shown not only by my team but by everyone across Dorset to make this a reality.”
Key benefits demonstrated by other Thalamos customers include:
- Faster access to treatment: Reduced average access times from 7 days to 15 hours, improving patient outcomes.
- Earlier discharges: Patients discharged 1-3 days sooner, generating annual savings of up to £1m.
- Improved compliance: Significant reductions in error rates, from an estimated 25% at paper-using sites to 1.6% with Thalamos.
Sethi said: “The eMHA by Thalamos platform provides benefits not only to clinicians via time saving by pre-populating the patient details along with their signatures as well, but it will also help our mental health legislation office reduce errors on the form and therefore reducing rectifications across the county.”
Dorset HealthCare also plans use insights generated by use of the platform to give a “clearer, more precise picture”, which will ultimately improve the patient pathway.
Sophie Hadley, Programme and Marketing Manager at Thalamos, commented: “Working with the Dorset team over the past ten months in ensuring that the Thalamos implementation is as smooth as possible has been incredible.
“Dorset are purposeful in continuously improving their systems, which has resulted in an increased level of care for patients and identifies them as innovators. The support that they provide their staff throughout these improvements is what sets them apart.”
Setting the stage for broader reform
The eMHA by Thalamos platform has been designed in consultation with clinicians, carers, and patient groups to address the unique challenges of mental healthcare. This deployment in Dorset comes at a pivotal moment, with national reforms to the Mental Health Act underway in Parliament. By digitising MHA processes, Dorset HealthCare is leading the way in ensuring more effective, joined-up care for patients.
This step is also a testament to Dorset HealthCare’s commitment to being at the forefront of innovative healthcare solutions, as highlighted in its Your Future Hospital approach. The strategy emphasises delivering seamless care pathways by integrating new technologies and enhancing collaboration across healthcare teams.
