Newham GPs share data via Web

Newham GPs are sharing their patient data with community matrons, hospital diabetes specialists and mental health specialists, using Emis Web.

All 62 practices in Newham have moved to Emis Web and share information with other services using the system.

Newham Clinical Commissioning Group board member Dr Bhupinder Kohli said secure data sharing between GP practices and local clinicians is saving time and helping to improve clinical care.

“Interoperability is a revolution for the NHS. The GP electronic record is the richest source of patient information in the health service and through Emis Web, other services in Newham can now share that wealth of knowledge,” he said.

The system means that two GPs with special responsibility for more than 300 patients in local mental health units are able to access the patients’ GP record.

“The patient’s physical condition is a vital part of mental healthcare and through data sharing with Web we are narrowing the health inequalities for people with mental illness,” said Dr Kohli.

He said that in his 10,000-list practice, upgrading to Web has freed up an extra four hours a week to spend with patients.

The system is also helping to drive-up standards across the CCG via use of the Electronic Prescription Service Release 2.

Dr Kohli said the service, which allows GPs to sign and send prescriptions electronically to a nominated pharmacy, means prescriptions no longer go missing. He added that his reception staff are saving two hours a week previously spent processing paper prescriptions.

“Workflow manager within Emis Web has enabled us to go paperless,” he said.

“Every urgent fax or clinical document that comes into the practice is scanned within an hour and actioned by a GP within 4 hours. Discharge letters are now fully electronic – they drop automatically into the Emis Web system workflow, saving two hours scanning time a week.”

More than 3000 practices in England and Wales are now using Emis Web.