A GP practice has signed up its 1,000th patient for online access to their medical records.
The landmark figure was announced this week by Haughton Thornley Medical Centres in Hyde, Cheshire, as the government considers responses to its Information Revolution document, which sets out plans to give patients control of their records.
Haughton Thornley Medical Centres staring offering online access to health records alongside other online services such as repeat prescription ordering and appointment booking in 2006. It is using the PAERS system with its EMIS GP software.
Since then, interest in record access has accelerated with patients able to log in via the practice’s web portal – www.htmc.co.uk – and view information including test results, GP consultation notes and any correspondence between hospital consultants and GPs.
Dr Amir Hannan, a partner at the practice who has led the record access initiative, said: “Passing this landmark of 1,000 patients accessing their records is a special moment.
"I want to thank all those who have contributed to making it happen, in particular our very special patients and staff – many of whom have travelled the length and breadth of the country with me to share their own experiences with others."
Dr Hannan has been a high profile advocate for record access and said he hoped that he and his staff and patients would continue to be able to pass on their experiences wherever possible.
Partner Dr Lisa Gutteridge said she had realised a new phase in healthcare had begun last month when she discovered that all of the appointments at her early morning surgery had been booked online.
She added: “I feel so proud to be part of an organisation that is encouraging patients to understand their health issues more fully.
"That is in tune with the way the health service is moving – away from the paternalistic model and more about what patients can do for themselves.”
NHS North West said around 50 GP practices in the country after offering patients online record access of which 15 are in the North West.