GP Referrals To Go High-Tech

Inter-agency communications in the health service are to be boosted with a system that allows GPs to make electronic requests for hospital appointments being rolled out across Northern Ireland.

It is hoped the new system, where doctors use a computer system to refer patients to a consultant, will mean fewer delays.

At present, when a GP refers a patient to a consultant they make the request in writing, but the Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey yesterday said that the electronic referral system will be introduced in all GP surgeries by 2012.

A pilot electronic referral scheme will begin in January 2011 involving GP practices in the Southern Trust area and will then be rolled out to all 356 GP surgeries in Northern Ireland, when all GP referrals to consultant-led clinics will be electronic.

"The Electronic Referrals project is the latest development in the use of new technology in our Health Service.

"The introduction of the system will bring many benefits for patients. The process of referrals will be handled with greater efficiency and will allow the communication of accurate information more quickly and securely. This will result in fewer delays in arranging appointments," he claimed.

The Minister continued: "As demand on the Health Service increases, this new system will make a significant difference in the management of patient referrals.

"Rather that the administrative burden of the current system for GPs, practice staff and hospital staff, they will be able to track the progress of a particular referral. This will deliver substantial savings."

(BMcC/GK)