GP2GP

Programme Overview:

GP2GP enables patients’ electronic health records to be transferred directly and securely between GP practices. It improves patient care as GP’s will usually have full and detailed medical records available to them for a new patient’s first consultation.

GP2GP is just one of the steps towards achieving a paper free NHS by 2020

GP2GP versus paper based approaches

GP2GP electronic transfers are more accurate and secure – and much faster than a paper-based approaches, which can take weeks to complete.

Using the paper-based approach, the time it takes to receive a patient record from the time it is requested can be anything from a few weeks to a few months. As a result, the new practice often does not have the benefit of the old record when the patient attends for the first consultation. Once received, it can be very time-consuming for the new practice to key in the summary of the record into its own clinical system.

The Paper Based Process Involves

Printing out the details of the patient health record held on the GP clinical system and then putting that print-out into the patient’s ‘Lloyd George’ envelope, together with any historical paper records, laboratory forms, hospital referral letters and the letters that result from that referral.
These documents are then transferred to the new practice via the local medical records transfer process.
Upon receipt of the Lloyd George, the new practice reviews the information received, summarises the record and enters any appropriate information into their GP clinical system.

The benefits of GP2GP

GP2GP enables an almost instantaneous transfer of a patient’s Electronic Health Record (EHR). As a result, GPs and their teams will be able to provide patients with a safer and more efficient service.

Improved quality and continuity of care

Full patient EHR available for the patient’s first appointment, which results in a more focused and informed consultation.

Past medical history available and information about medication, allergies, adverse reactions, immunisations and vaccinations.

Improved safety

Fewer transcribing errors and omissions, the need to key in information from paper records will be greatly reduced.

Allergies and adverse drug reactions are flagged for review for new patients, resulting in safer prescribing.

Clinical time savings

The EHR contains information such as lab results and letters from specialists, which helps in the clinical decision-making process. This also means there are fewer requests for unnecessary duplicate lab tests.

Administrative time savings

The need to key information from paper records is greatly reduced. This results in quicker summarisation of new patient records.

Attachments received electronically, which results in time saved not having to re-scan items into the patient’s EHR.

Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) information populated immediately when a patient’s EHR is integrated.

Version 2.2 (a&b) of GP2GP

GP2GP V2.2a has been rolled out by EMIS, V2.2b will be rolled out shortly. TPP are currently deploying V2.2a and V2.2b together. INPS are intending to rollout V 2.2 during 2017. The key new functionality is described below:

Large message transfer

This component of V2.2a will allow GP2GP to transfer large messages (over 5MB and over 99 attachments). This will increase the number of electronic health records that can be transferred by around 15%. Large messaging also removes restrictions that prevent some file types from transferring, which will reduce the number of empty attachments (placeholders) arriving at receiving practices.

Reduction of printing

The Paper Transfer Decommissioning component of V2.2a supports the reduction of printing of summaries and attachments when patients change GPs, and supports the target of a paperless NHS.

Receiving Records Quickly

It is essential that receiving practices integrate their electronic health records quickly, so the sending practice knows whether any printing is required before they send the Lloyd George envelope. The integration target is three working days, but NHS Digital recommend integration as soon as the electronic health record is received. This is usually within a minute of the registration being completed. As well as supporting the reduction in printing, quick integration also ensures the electronic health record is available to clinicians at the earliest opportunity.

Help when you need it

Each supplier will publish comprehensive materials to support users of V2.2a

Why would GP practices want to do this?

The NHS ambition is to embrace technology as part of its drive to offer modern, convenient and responsive services to patients, their families and carers. GP practices are leading the way. Today, the majority of GP practices already offer these services.

By when?

2016/17 GMS Contract Requirement:

GP2GP compliant practices will continue to utilise the GP2GP facility for the transfer of all patient records between practices, when a patient registers or de-registers (not for temporary registration). The GMS Regulations will be amended so that GP practices are no longer required to seek permission from NHS England not to print out the electronic record, where patient records successfully transfer to a new practice using GP2GP v2.2 or its successors.

Visit the NHS Digital GP2GP Library

The link below will take you to the NHS Digital GP2GP library where you will find information and resources to support your practice with GP2GP.

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What help can I get with GP2GP?

Our team are on hand to give advice and help with a range of queries about GP2GP and the processes involved.