EMIS : agrees data sharing to support federated working

EMIS agrees data sharing to support federated working

EMIS, the UK leader in clinical IT systems for GPs and commissioners, is to enable direct data sharing with all other GP systems - supporting new ways of working in the NHS.

Following an arrangement with TPP to enable direct interoperability between their clinical systems - free of charge - EMIS is preparing to sign an agreement with INPS and Microtest to offer similar functionality.

It means that subject to appropriate information governance, health economies using a mixture of any of the widely-used UK GP will be able to deliver seamless patient care 24/7. It will enable more efficient working practices for the growing number of GP, community and multidisciplinary provider networks in the NHS.

Clinicians providing services across many practices can use EMIS Web to 'call' a patient's record directly from any GP system - and send data back into that system, to record the consultation or treatment given. The agreement will include robust and proven security arrangements to ensure patients' data is safe.

EMIS managing director Matt Murphy said: "As the UK market leader, EMIS is committed to playing a key part in supporting the new service models that are emerging in primary and community care.

This is another positive step that will enable more joined up and efficient patient care across the country. It also means that there is no need for GPs within federations to move systems if they are happy with their current one. They will be able to work in partnership with colleagues, whatever the system."

The move, coupled with ongoing enhanced functionality in EMIS Web, will support NHS clinicians in delivering more integrated patient care across multiple settings. It will particularly benefit out of hours care and new federated models in general practice and healthcare economies across communities.

In a phased approach, subject to appropriate data sharing agreements, EMIS users will be able to

• View the patient's complete medical history from any of the four clinical systems
• Send data back into any system, eg consultations and treatments
• Send tasks between systems for more joined up care between clinicians and services

• Book and receive appointments between different organisations working together - from local community services to other practices in their network.

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