GP practices and clinical staff in Leeds can share and view authorised information and data between IT systems, quickly and efficiently, using GP Connect.
GP Connect is an NHS Digital led programme, connecting health and care data and supporting clinical staff by making medical information held within the patient’s GP record available at the point of care. The information is available safely and securely across care settings including social care, general practice, community, mental health and hospitals.
EMIS Health has delivered GP Connect integration, working closely with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, to enable clinical use across the health and care partners in the city and transform patient care. In the future, GP Connect will also provide secure access to structured medications and allergies information in a patient’s record and will be used to enable quicker and more efficient appointment management between practices.
Cath Johnson, Clinical Lead in GP Connect at NHS Digital, said “Going live in Leeds is a great achievement for all involved and we are delighted that GP Connect is now being used to improve patient experience and care across the city”.
Dr Geoff Hall, Senior Lecturer Medical Oncology and Chief Clinical Information Office at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said, “Working on call, I have just seen a patient whose GP has diagnosed an advanced pancreatic cancer. No one at the hospital had met him so our records only held results of blood tests and scans but no information on consultations. We had no idea whether he knew his diagnosis or whether his family were aware. The new GP Connect has just had a major triumph. His GP was able to share an understanding of his discussion with our patient. I knew exactly what was going on, what he and his family knew and what he had told his GP he wanted. This is a scenario where having the access to vital information has resulted in better patient care by helping to avoid repeating a potentially emotional and stressful conversation.”
Dr Alistair Walling, Chief Clinical Information Officer for Leeds said, “We have embraced GP Connect in Leeds because it helps to deliver truly patient centred care. Using the technology to provide timely information to care professionals when supporting patients’ care whether at home, in the community or hospital helps provide safer and better care. We have a clear vision in Leeds to be the best city for health and wellbeing and digital achievement of this nature really help us to deliver our goals for our patients.”
