Emis : Data sharing helps Central Manchester CCG improve provision of patient services

Central Manchester CCG is improving access to primary care health services for 217,000 patients as part of a new service collaboration initiative.

Delivered by General Practice Provider Organisation (GPPO) Primary Care Manchester Ltd, the project involves a data sharing agreement that will enable patients from 34 practices to access an increased range of specialist primary care services, at extended hours, via newly established 'host practices'.

Colin Tate, Commercial Director at Primary Care Manchester said: "It means that practices can pool resources to offer their patients more services at times including evenings and weekends, without having to invest in additional resources.

"Using EMIS Web to create a secure, two-way patient data flow between the practices involved, also safeguards continuity of care - particularly important for patients with long term medical conditions."

The 34 GP practices in central Manchester fall into four geographical areas. The agreement means that a host GP practice will be available in each of these localities, to serve patients whose local practice may not offer the opening hours or specific health services they need.

Colin added: "Extended hours provision is our initial priority. From February, patients living in any of the four central Manchester localities have been able to book GP appointments between 6pm and 8pm during the week, or on Saturday and Sunday mornings, even if the GP practice they are registered with doesn't open at these times.

"The patient visits the designated host practice, which has secure access to their patient record - with their consent - to ensure any advice or prescriptions given are in line with existing medications, known conditions and past consultations. The host practice then automatically updates the record held by the patient's usual GP surgery to ensure the flow of information is complete."

Primary Care Manchester supports a homeless project through one of the host practices and specialist services for conditions such as diabetes and heart failure will be launched. Future plans include a scheme to improve support to care homes. Colin said: "Patient care is at the heart of this project but we also hope that over time it will help reduce unnecessary A&E visits and admissions. We believe that the education programme we are implementing around the new agreement will encourage patients to take greater responsibility for their care by helping them to understand the varied health service options available to them, and the most appropriate one for their situation."

Matt Murphy, Managing Director of EMIS said: "The GPPO needed a safe mechanism for GP practices to share information, to enhance the scope of services they offer their patients. EMIS Web was the perfect system, as it enables secure, seamless data sharing."

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