Monday, 31 March 2014

EMIS - the UK leader in clinical IT systems for GPs and commissioners - is to withdraw its legacy EMIS LV and EMIS PCS systems from use in England within the next 12 months to focus solely on its flagship integrated healthcare management system, EMIS Web.

The decision is a consequence of new requirements being introduced by NHS England from 1 April 2014 under the new GP Systems of Choice (GPSOC) framework - the mechanism through which GP practices in England receive funding for their clinical systems.

Matt Murphy, Managing Director of EMIS, said: "Following a comprehensive review we have concluded that neither EMIS LV nor EMIS PCS can be developed to meet the new GPSoC requirements, and have taken the difficult decision to withdraw both of these legacy systems in England." 

"At EMIS we fully support the NHS' vision for integrated patient care and will focus on developing EMIS Web to meet the needs of not only all our GP customers but whole health economies.  For those of our customers still using EMIS LV and EMIS PCS we offer a proven, safe and seamless transition path to EMIS Web.

"The vast majority of our GP customers in England are already using EMIS Web, which is a modern and innovative system offering many clinical, management and administrative benefits. All of our non EMIS Web customers in England are already using the EMIS Web familiarisation service - the first step towards a full system implementation - and we look forward to working closely with them to support them through a smooth transition to the new system."

GPs Dr Hasib Ur-Rub and Dr Geoff Schrecker, joint chairs of the EMIS National User Group, the independent body that represents EMIS users, said: "The EMIS National User Group (NUG) believes that EMIS Web is the best clinical system for EMIS users in England.

"While we regret the impact of the coming change on those users affected, we recognise that LV and PCS cannot reasonably be developed to meet the enhanced functionality now required under GPSoC.

"The NUG will be working closely with EMIS to support users, in particular those whose progress in moving to EMIS Web is being affected by local circumstances."

EMIS Web is the most advanced and most widely used clinical system for GPs. It is now used by 3,453 GP practices across the UK - and by a growing number of clinicians outside of primary care.

The LV and PCS systems will be withdrawn in England on 31 March 2015. The decision only affects the relatively few EMIS English GP practices that are still using one of the legacy systems.

EMIS will continue to support and maintain EMIS LV and EMIS PCS in the coming 12 months - including supporting QOF submissions - but support will be limited to making clinical safety updates and rectifying bugs. 

EMIS has an experienced and dedicated customer service team to help customers affected by the plans.  The team will be proactively contacting practices and can also be reached on 0845 125 5536.  Help is also available via the EMIS National User Group at: www.emisnug.org.uk.

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