GP practices throughout England can now entry new know-how with the introduction of the primary new core IT system for 25 years, NHS England has introduced.
The digital affected person document system, created by Medicus Well being, is obtainable to practices throughout the nation – with the system already stay in 4 early-adopting websites, serving greater than 42,000 sufferers.
It’s the first new provider to be absolutely assured by NHSE’s Tech Innovation Framework, which goals to make sure that new merchandise are absolutely compliant on info governance, scientific security and knowledge safety, whereas integrating with NHS infrastructure such because the digital prescription service, NHS e-Referral Service and NHS App.
In recent times, GP practices in England have largely had a selection of simply two suppliers for the IT system they use to handle affected person care: Optum (beforehand often known as Emis) and TPP.
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS nationwide director of main care and group companies, stated: “This new era of techniques is the primary shake-up of the GP IT market now we have seen in 1 / 4 of a century, and this shift will assist unlock extra fashionable, joined-up take care of sufferers, and assist our workers to work higher and smarter.
“It additionally exhibits our ongoing dedication to making sure that the NHS has entry to the very best high quality digital instruments to remodel the expertise of sufferers and workers.”
Medicus Well being’s cloud-based know-how will help the mixing of main care with different settings, together with care houses and vaccination centres, and can be utilized on totally different units corresponding to tablets – supporting the supply of neighbourhood care and serving to medical doctors to greatest meet their sufferers’ wants.
The system integrates with 24 nationwide NHS companies and is the primary to implement 5 new nationwide open requirements for info alternate, together with for digital prescriptions and referrals.
One of many first practices to undertake the brand new system was Wilmslow Well being Centre in Cheshire, which has over 16,000 sufferers.
Dr Amar Ahmed, GP companion at Wilmslow Well being Centre, stated: “I can entry affected person data immediately, making consultations smoother, and as we get extra acquainted with the system, we anticipate to see even larger advantages – extra knowledgeable choices, fast entry to the suitable info, and a greater general expertise for our sufferers and workers.
“Appointments are managed extra easily, and our crew communication has by no means been higher.
“It’s the form of effectivity that interprets instantly into affected person care.”
NHSE stated that greater than 25 built-in care boards are exploring how they will help adoption of those new techniques, with “curiosity rising throughout the nation”.
It’s anticipated extra core GP IT techniques that meet the requirements of the Tech Innovation Framework will turn into obtainable by April 2026, providing a wider selection for practices.
Medicus Well being was considered one of eight suppliers to be included on the Tech Innovation Framework in November 2022, following the framework’s launch in June 2022.
The framework is meant to assist increase innovation and selection within the main care IT market, in addition to present a blueprint for introducing the following era of requirements for IT techniques.
