GP-Hospice Data Sharing Pilot Boosts Care Efficiency

Embarking on a transformative journey from October 2023 to January 2024, Innovate took charge of a pivotal pilot exploring the benefits of two-way, read-only EMIS access between a select number of GP practices in North Warwickshire and the Mary Ann Evans (MAE) Hospice. 

EMIS offers an integrated electronic medical records system designed to streamline patient information management for healthcare practitioners, fostering efficiency and comprehensive care.

The pilot, conducted for the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board and involving 11 local GP practices, opened the door for the seamless sharing of patient records between local GP practices and hospices. Following the pilot's completion, the positive feedback from both the GP practices and the MAE Hospice highlighted the significant advantages of cross-organisational data sharing.

Becky Harrison, Practice Manager at The Grange Medical Centre, said: "Accessing live patient information through the MAE EMIS empowers our clinicians, saving precious time calling or emailing the Hospice and enhancing overall efficiency.

“The seamless exchange of records ensures a holistic understanding of a patient's history and needs, which not only streamlines communication, but significantly contributes to the consistency of care.”

Lisa Perrins, Head of Clinical Operations at the MAE Hospice added: “Having access to our patients’ GP records enables our staff to have an all-round accurate picture of their treatments and referrals.

“When caring for people at their most vulnerable time, patients and their loved ones can forget vital information such as allergies and past medical history, so having that immediate access to this information enables us to identify and address any red flags before proceeding with our treatment plans.”

Following the feedback report, the Local Medical Committee have endorsed Innovate to enable two-way, read-only EMIS viewing between four hospices (Mary Ann Evans, Myton Hospice, The Shakespeare Hospice and Shipton Home Nursing) and GP practices in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Innovate will now be taking the lead in consulting all interested parties and finalising the data sharing agreements, technical implementation, and delivery plan.