Improved information sharing to tackle virus spread

GPs and authorised health and care professionals in the NHS will now be able to access primary care records for patients registered at other practices during the coronavirus epidemic.

NHS Digital and NHSX have introduced GP Connect to all practices, which will enable the secure sharing of patient records across primary care. This will mean that health professionals will have the information necessary to give patients the care they need quickly and effectively, regardless of whether they are registered at that practice or have accessed that service before.

The move will also allow health workers to share appointments across the GP estate, providing flexibility for staff and allowing them to deliver safer and more effective care.

Additionally, NHS 111 staff will also be able to book direct appointments for patients at any GP practice or specialist centre.

Richard Alcock, Interim Director of Primary Care Technology at NHS Digital, said: “GPs and other front-line clinicians are increasingly finding themselves working differently, with normal working patterns disrupted and a greater pressure than seen before on the system. Patients will now be able to have appointments booked at practices other than where they are registered as well as at a number of different healthcare settings.   However, for that to work in practice, their new clinicians will need to have swift access to pertinent medical information, such a previous medical history or medications prescribed, to treat them safely.

“We have produced guidance with NHSX for GP practices to help them enable the GP Connect change quickly and without any hassle so that they can benefit from this functionality, providing them with the information they need to do their jobs effectively. This step is crucial to support clinicians so that they can give timely, accurate clinical advice to their patients at a time when they are already under unprecedented stress and having to work in completely new ways to deliver care.”