Innovation funds tests for Notts GPs

Nottinghamshire Health Informatics Service has delivered electronic test requesting to GP practices in its area with the support of regional innovation funding.

GP practices in Nottinghamshire can now submit electronic requests for pathology and radiology tests to the two hospitals covered by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Information about the patient and the test requested is entered into the practice’s computer system, a barcode is printed off from a specialist barcode printer and then placed on the sample from the patient ready for collection. The information is then available for staff to scan and read at the hospital.

The printers for north Nottinghamshire GPs have been funded by a Regional Innovation Fund grant from NHS East Midlands.

Clipstone Health Centre in Mansfield is among the practices using the new system. Dr Belinda Hirsh, a GP from the practice, said: “Everyone at the surgery is very grateful to have had e-requesting installed. It allows the GPs at the health centre to work quicker and in a more efficient way.”

Jane Clarke, project implementation officer with Nottinghamshire Health informatics Service, said the scheme was offering many advantages.

She added: “One surgery said that they were saving up to 16 hours a week in time by not having to send hand-written forms to the hospital.”

The project is being showcased to ministers and delegates at this week’s Healthcare Innovation EXPO event in London.