A new practice management system for the private healthcare sector has been launched by PHF Services Ltd, designed to reduce the administrative load on consultants in the private sector.

Virtual Practice Management is described as a comprehensive administration package including incorporating diary management, transcription and financial services that can help consultants maximise their private practice revenue.

The VPN package is designed to be delivered as a hosted service. Using a secure login area clinicians can review patient notes, billing status and appointments, online, anytime from any location with a web connection.

Thomas Acworth, Chief executive of PHF said: “We offer a tailor made total practice management service delivered by a team of highly experienced medical secretaries who are only a phone call away."

He said that the VPN package would also prove invaluable to clinicians working in private practice delivering care to NHS patients as the further development of the patient choice agenda makes the marketing of health services more important.

Acworth added: “Because PHF offers VPM on a flexible “pay-as-you-go” basis, consultants are getting excellent value for money. Better still, safe in the knowledge that their practice is being run efficiently and cost-effectively, consultants can get on with caring for their patients and ensuring that they present their practice in the best light possible.”

The main elements of the new system are VPN diary, which manages appointments, bookings and clinic lists and enables other key users such as NHS staff to view it securely; VPN Transcribe, providing online digital transcription services; and VPN Finance covering all aspects of invoicing, payments processing, collections and bad debt management.