§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to phase out the use of Lloyd George envelopes and promote the use of A4 folders as the standard means of storing patient records; [118954]
461W(2) what steps he is taking to harmonise paper-based records within the National Health Service; and if he will instigate a review of current systems. [118953]
§ Ms StuartNational Health Service paper record-keeping systems have previously been submitted to extensive review, and there are no current plans to instigate further examinations. The replacement of Lloyd George envelopes with A4 folders as the standard means of holding paper records is not under consideration.
Future developments in record-keeping will be driven by the information strategy "Information for Health", which is committed to the vision of electronic record-keeping, as befits the modern NHS.
§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different computer-based records systems are in use by general practitioners; and if they are compatible. [118952]
§ Ms StuartThere are 18 companies with clinical computer systems in use by general practitioners. In general there is little direct compatibility between the products of these companies. However, current policy, which is supported by the system suppliers, is to migrate these products to industry standard software which will create open and inter-operable systems which in turn will facilitate more automated sharing of information.
§ Mr. SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure the compatibility of computer systems used in hospitals with those used by general practitioners. [118951]
§ Ms StuartThe information strategy for the Modern National Health Service 1998–2005 "Information for Health" is aimed at focusing the development of information technology systems to facilitate the delivery of integrated care. A number of specific initiatives are taking place to ensure compatibility of computer systems used in hospitals with those used by general practitioners
The establishment of a national clinical information standards board with responsibility to deliver agreed standards for communicating clinical information between clinicians in primary and secondary care;The development of an agreed framework for helping to structure the thousands of clinical communications which are sent and received every day. A multi-professional group of clinicians have developed a draft framework of headings and accompanying definitions that are being evaluated for this purpose;The Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme is currently agreeing a comprehensive programme of work which will address the national requirement for standards to ensure the compatibility of clinical computer systems used in hospitals and primary care;Work over the next 12 months to support the development of clinical messages to support GP to GP record transfer, referral and discharge.