The English National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy (ENSPDR) is working with Quicksilva, an independent provider of software to the private and public sector, and OLM Professional Services, a specialist provider of consultancy services to the health and social care sector, to put in place a framework for automating the sharing of data between GP practices and diabetic retinopathy screening programmes.
Current information sharing processes have presented barriers to the accurate identification of screening programme participants, resulting in a significant number of individuals being overlooked. Quicksilva has developed a bespoke application, called the GP2DRS database, which will automate the transfer of patient data between GPs and local screening programmes.
At present details of people with diabetes are made available to screening programmes through various manual processes. With 8,000 GP practices and nearly 100 screening programmes in England, this represents a huge administration burden that is also prone to error. As a result, screening programme registers are often incomplete or out-of-date. Built in .NET, the GP2DRS database will automate the transfer of patient details, notification of eligibility and consent for screening, and the return of screening results to GPs.
Esther Provins, National Informatics Lead, ENSPDR said: -Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of loss of sight in the working age population. If caught early it can be successfully treated, but the current system for information sharing between GPs and LSPs represents a number of challenges due to the sheer volume of data that needs to be shared, processed and logged by both parties. This data tidal wave is impacting patients on two levels. Firstly, it restricts screening programmes from identifying individuals that need to be screened. Secondly, we don’t always have the most up-to-date information about current patients, impacting the quality of service they receive.
-The GP2DRS database will significantly overhaul how patient information is managed, resulting in a more streamlined and effective service for all concerned.
The ENSPDR is working closely with screening programmes and national NHS organisations to ensure that the new process is understood and the technology can be adopted as soon as possible.
Gayna Hart, MD, Quicksilva commented: -Without question the GP2DRS database is going to a have a positive impact on the patients’ experience. Diabetic retinopathy screening programmes are outnumbered by GPs 80 to 1, which represents a significant administrative strain for them. Automating the sharing of data will ease the pressure point and allow them to concentrate on other activities that have a direct impact on the service they deliver which they are rightly very proud of.
Quicksilva is delivering the GP2DRS data base in partnership with OLM Professional Services, part of the OLM Group, who deliver technology and consultancy solutions for adult and children’s services, health and the corporate IT market.
Peter O’Hara, CEO, OLM Group said: -In recognition of OLM Group’s ASCC approved supplier status, which demonstrates the strength of our commitment to the sector, we are delighted to partner with Quicksilva on this project. We are proud to be involved in such a vital project that will help screening programmes across England to be more efficient and proactive.
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