Friday, 27 July 2012
Nearly 200,000 patients from 29 GP practices in Swansea are now able to have their Individual Health Record (IHR) viewed through a new Acute GP service in Singleton Hospital.
The IHR is a summary of your GP record, which provides some basic information about your medical history, such as medications and allergies.
When a GP feels a hospital admission could be necessary, they will contact the Acute GP unit. The acute GP service aims to prevent avoidable hospital admissions by acting as a gateway between Swansea GP’s and medical admissions. The acute GP doctors will then explore whether an alternative to admission might be appropriate.
Dr Chris Johns, Clinical Lead at the Swansea Acute GP, confirmed “The IHR is a real step in the right direction for us. When a GP calls to discuss an admission we now have information at our fingertips allowing us to focus on the acute problem. It’s great stuff.”
When the patient attends the Acute GP service, the doctor will be able to gain the patient’s permission to access the IHR.
“It is essential that we use information technology to care for patients as safely and effectively as possible.” said Dr Jane Harrison, Assistant Medical Director for Primary Care “The IHR will provide GPs with all the key information when patients attend the Acute GP Unit. Having access to the summary of a patient's past medical history and medications will ensure that doctors are treating people in the full knowledge of any conditions that may affect their management.”
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Source:
NHS Wales Informatics Service
