GPs could join new 'e-records' system
HEALTH'S new electronic records system could be extended to GP practices, Health and Social Services has said.
While the department's 10-year project to implement computer-based records across its services and the Medical Specialist Group is nearing an end, it has not been put into practice at primary health care surgeries.
But both HSSD's service delivery and operations manager Paul Sadler and director of corporate services Richard Evans said that could change.
At present, if a patient is to attend A and E and has not been to the hospital before, the doctors and nurses in the department are unable to access any health record.
If a patient has been before, the A and E staff can access information relating to that admission but not GP records.
'I think there is an argument for some of the information GPs have to be shared with doctors and nurses in the hospital,' said Mr Evans, pictured.
