Most emergency health services are using automated electronic
systems to share and transmit patient assessments to GPs.
The
sharing of such data is especially important for patients who
have long-term health conditions, as they may need urgent and
emergency care. They are also more likely to use a greater variety
of treatment sites.
In a
detailed review of urgent and emergency care services in
England, the Healthcare Commission says 79% of areas in the NHS are
fully meeting national quality requirements for transmitting
patient assessments to their GP by 8am the next working day.
The Commission says NHS Direct and out-of-hours GP services have
established electronic links that enable patient data to be
transferred between these services.
There is a variation, however, of between 24% and 86% in how
often this happens in different areas of the NHS, said the
commission. One reason for this is that NHS Direct does not always
have up to date details of local services.
The Healthcare Commission's review >>
Will patient data go overseas? >>