NHS Tayside delivers to GPs

NHS Tayside has deployed Voice Technologies’ WinVoicePro to deliver electronic correspondence from all its clinics to GP practices.

Voice Technologies integrated the software with NHS Tayside’s Electronic Data Transfer service which is supplied by document management specialists PCTI. It also collaborated with PCTI to deliver documents directly to GP systems using PCTI’s Docman software.

The new set-up enables NHS Tayside to route documents, once approved by clinicians, directly to GPs. Documents are received into the Docman system and stored automatically under the corresponding specialty.

NHS Tayside first implemented Winscribe from Voice Technologies in 2008. It says the addition of WinVoicePro earlier this year has enabled it to achieve greater administrative efficiency.

The electronic document approval process enabled by WinVoicePro has been calculated to save 63p per document through a reduction in printing and distribution costs.

NHS Tayside sends an average of 432,500 documents electronically per year, so it should be saving more than £250,000 every year; excluding the saving in associated staff costs.

Anne Colville, admin and clerical line manager, women and child health, said: “The digital dictation system implemented over two years ago has been a real benefit.

“The implementation of electronic signing of letters and automatic sending of letters to GPs will continue to allow us to provide an efficient and timely service.”

Voice Technologies used IT specialists Microtech Support to install and configure WinVoicePro at all NHS Tayside hospitals and 69 GP practices.

Managing director Heather Wylie commented: “NHS Tayside has shown great commitment to developing a document creation and approval process that offers benefits to all involved – both financially and with regard to the time saved.

“It takes time to build a process that synchronises all software, and it is only through having all the necessary foundations in place that this is possible.

“Once they are, the rewards are substantial. In a time where budget cuts are imperative, the saving of over a quarter of a million pounds a year is a significant achievement.”

The contract with NHS Tayside was negotiated under the National Framework Agreement, with Voice Technologies being the sole supplier for NHS Scotland.

Links: Voice Technologies

PCTI