Traditionally GPs have had to enter information from patient discharge letters into GP systems, taking up valuable admin time. GPs and hospitals benefit from a reduction in paper use, postal costs and time re-typing information into their computer system. It will also notify hospitals when messages have been delivered and have been actioned. The system saves GP practices time in processing and clarifying the information they receive, so changes can be tracked and necessary actions taken.įor example, updating information when a new or alternative medication has been prescribed for the patient or actioning an onward referral request. Hospitals across England will soon be able to send secure and standardised clinical patient discharge summaries and outpatient attendance information electronically to GP systems following a successful first of type by NHS Digital, TPP and Dorset County Hospital working with Independent Systems Integrators.ĭuring the trial Dorset County Hospital was able to send over 4,000 structured FHIR 1 messages to four volunteer GP practices locally 3, including outpatient letters, emergency care and inpatient discharge summaries.
