NHSE approves Medicus Health EPR system for primary care

GP practices across England can now access new technology with the introduction of the first new core IT system for 25 years, NHS England has announced. 

The electronic patient record system, created by Medicus Health, is available to practices across the country – with the system already live in four early-adopting sites, serving more than 42,000 patients.

It is the first new supplier to be fully assured through NHSE’s Tech Innovation Framework, which aims to ensure that new products are fully compliant on information governance, clinical safety and data protection, while integrating with NHS infrastructure such as the electronic prescription service, NHS e-Referral Service and NHS App.

In recent years, GP practices in England have largely had a choice of just two suppliers for the IT system they use to manage patient care: Optum (previously known as Emis) and TPP. 

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS national director of primary care and community services, said: “This new generation of systems is the first shake-up of the GP IT market we have seen in a quarter of a century, and this shift will help unlock more modern, joined-up care for patients, and help our staff to work better and smarter.

“It also shows our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the NHS has access to the highest quality digital tools to transform the experience of patients and staff.” 

Medicus Health’s cloud-based technology will support the integration of primary care with other settings, including care homes and vaccination centres, and can be used on different devices such as tablets – supporting the delivery of neighbourhood care and helping doctors to best meet their patients’ needs.

The system integrates with 24 national NHS services and is the first to implement five new national open standards for information exchange, including for electronic prescriptions and referrals.

One of the first practices to adopt the new system was Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire, which has over 16,000 patients.

Dr Amar Ahmed, GP partner at Wilmslow Health Centre, said: “I can access patient records instantly, making consultations smoother, and as we get more familiar with the system, we expect to see even greater benefits – more informed decisions, quick access to the right information, and a better overall experience for our patients and staff.

“Appointments are managed more smoothly, and our team communication has never been better.

“It’s the kind of efficiency that translates directly into patient care.”

NHSE said that more than 25 integrated care boards are exploring how they can support adoption of these new systems, with “interest growing across the country”.

It is expected more core GP IT systems that meet the standards of the Tech Innovation Framework will become available by April 2026, offering a wider choice for practices.

Medicus Health was one of eight suppliers to be included on the Tech Innovation Framework in November 2022, following the framework’s launch in June 2022.

The framework is intended to help boost innovation and choice in the primary care IT market, as well as provide a blueprint for introducing the next generation of standards for IT systems.