Over 3,000 practices are now able to transfer patient records electronically using GP2GP software upgrades, Connecting for Health has announced.
To date, over 64,000 record transfers have taken place, using the GP2GP software upgrades, which enables electronic health records to be transferred directly and securely between sites, if both practices are GP2GP-enabled.
The GP2GP roll-out currently involves practices with EMIS LV and INPS Vision 3. NHS Connecting for Health (CfH) say that other GP system suppliers are expected to join later in the year.
Dr Guhendran Ravi-Shanker, a GP at St James Medical Centre in Croydon, has been experiencing the benefits GP2GP can bring since December 2006.
He said: “GP2GP is a fantastic example of how IT can support seamless, continuity of Care. It really works! From the moment a patient registers with the practice, I have a responsibility for that patient’s care and the most important thing for me is being able to continue with the ongoing management of that patient’s treatment.
“With GP2GP, I can do this immediately. It makes such a difference, especially when treating patients with chronic conditions.”
Connecting for Health says more patients are benefiting from GP2GP every day, with record transfers usually taking place within minutes. Once transferred the patient’s record is available to integrate into the receiving practice’s clinical system.
A news release says: “As more GP practices become GP2GP-enabled, newly-registered patients are increasingly finding that their GPs have access to all information they need about their medical history and health status in time for their first consultation.”
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire PCTs moved to GP2GP systems in their GP practices mid December last year.
Lynn McCreadie, Avon IM&T consortium project manager, said: “Initial feedback from our GP practices has been very positive. Throughout the implementation of GP2GP it has become clear the system is something that surgeries have dreamt about for a long time. It makes life easier and the support we have had from NHS Connecting for Health and our suppliers throughout the deployment phase has been fantastic.”
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Joe Fernandez