GP practices and clinical staff can share and view authorised information and data between IT systems, quickly and efficiently, using GP Connect.
GP Connect is an NHS Digital led programme, connecting health and care data and supporting clinical staff by making medical information held within the patient’s GP record available at the point of care. The information is available safely and securely across care settings including social care, general practice, community, mental health and hospitals.
EMIS Health has delivered GP Connect integration, working closely with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, to enable clinical use across the health and care partners in the city and transform patient care.
In future, GP Connect will also provide secure access to structured medications and allergies information in a patient’s record and will be used to enable quicker and more efficient appointment management between practices.
Cath Johnson, Clinical Lead in GP Connect at NHS Digital, said “Going live in Leeds is a great achievement for all involved and we are delighted that GP Connect is now being used to improve patient experience and care across the city”.
Dr Geoff Hall, Senior Lecturer Medical Oncology and Chief Clinical Information Office at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said, “Working on call, I have just seen a patient whose GP has diagnosed an advanced pancreatic cancer. No one at the hospital had met him so our records only held results of blood tests and scans but no information on consultations. We had no idea whether he knew his diagnosis or whether his family were aware. The new GP Connect has just had a major triumph. His GP was able to share an understanding of his discussion with our patient. I knew exactly what was going on, what he and his family knew and what he had told his GP he wanted. This is a scenario where having the access to vital information has resulted in better patient care by helping to avoid repeating a potentially emotional and stressful conversation.”
Dr Alistair Walling, Chief Clinical Information Officer for Leeds said, “We have embraced GP Connect in Leeds because it helps to deliver truly patient centred care. Using the technology to provide timely information to care professionals when supporting patients’ care whether at home, in the community or hospital helps provide safer and better care. We have a clear vision in Leeds to be the best city for health and wellbeing and digital achievement of this nature really help us to deliver our goals for our patients.”
Dr Shaun O’Hanlon, Chief Medical Officer of EMIS Group, said: “We are delighted to work with NHS Digital to enable interoperability across systems via GP Connect. The pilot at Leeds Teaching Hospitals is a great example of how giving clinicians vital information in real time enables better informed decisions and safer patient care.”
ENDS
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Notes to editors
- NHS Digital is the national information and technology partner of the health and care system. Our team of information analysis, technology and project management experts create, deliver and manage the crucial digital systems, services, products and standards upon which health and care professionals depend. During the 2016/17 financial year, NHS Digital published 292 statistical reports. Our vision is to harness the power of information and technology to make health and care better.
- The Leeds Informatics Board, a group of clinicians and senior managers from across health and social care organisations in Leeds, oversees the informatics work within the city.
- EMIS Health is part of EMIS Group plc – the UK leader in connected healthcare software and services. www.emishealth.com EMIS Health provides software and services to clinicians working across every major UK healthcare setting, including: Primary Care – market leader with 56% share of the UK GP market. Community – number two in the UK market with 17% share. Secondary Care – number two in the UK market in hospital pharmacy (29%) and A&E systems (19%). Community Pharmacy – joint UK market leader with a 37% share. Specialist Care – EMIS Health is the leading provider of software and services to support diabetic eye screening (76% English market share) and other ophthalmology and specialist services.
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