GP2GP Version 2.2a
The benefits for the receiving practice of using GP2GP are well rehearsed, and they include:
- A full electronic health record being available for the patient’s first and subsequent consultations, ensuring continuity of care
- No need for patients to provide a detailed account of their previous medical history
- Time savings for clinicians with access to referral letters, investigation results, incoming documentation from secondary care, etc.
- Preservation of usability of rich data in patient records such as history of blood results for diabetics
- Safer prescribing with access to patient’s current and past medication and to any recorded allergies and adverse reactions
However, the biggest virtue of the system is that the sending practice does not have to print out the whole electronic record, which is an expensive exercise and simply adds exponentially more bulk to the record envelope. This only applies if the receiving practice files the incoming record within eight days of receipt.
It is therefore important that your practice procedures are designed to file the incoming patient record as soon as the patient has been registered. Once the record has been filed, and the patient has been deducted, the sending practice will be notified what notesand attachments, if any, need to be printed off . If the record remains unfiled for 8 days, the sending practice will have to print out everything , not just the items that did not transfer.
December figures from the HSCIC show that in Somerset there were 14 practices who received less than 65% of patient records electronically. This means the full patient electronic record for these patients has been lost for ever. There were only four practices who received all their records electronically in December. It is well worth ensuring that your registration process for new patient includes the correct search on the Spine
For further support with GP2GP, please contact Corinne.Raymont@swcsu.nhs.uk
