GP profiles on NHS Choices - 13 Sept '07

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13 September 2007
To: PCT Chief Executives
DH Gateway 8764
Dear Colleagues,

GP Profiles on NHS Choices
NHS Choices is proposing to give GP Practices the ability to directly change information on the website in real time. This initiative could reduce the workload of PCT web editors and significantly improve the accuracy of information NHS Choices inherited when it launched in June.

The Information Centre is currently working with PCTs to improve the overall accuracy of all primary care information on the website to above 90% but NHS Choices believes the long-term solution is to make it easier for GPs to update their own profiles. Every practice in England is to be given the option of accessing a simple online form. Practices will be able to preview changes and see them go up on the NHS Choices’ site within minutes.

This is a departure from the current situation where all changes have to go through PCT web editors. To maintain PCT oversight NHS Choices will send web editors an email alert once a month outlining changes that have been made. In addition an email will also be sent to PCTs and practices if no alterations are made for 30 days.

NHS Choices also intends to offer GPs the ability to broaden the quality and depth of information available on GP practices. That means not just practice opening hours but the ability to mark the times when GPs are available for appointments, results from the national patient survey, core indicators of patients’ experiences (from the Quality and Outcomes Framework) and what extended services the practice offers, as well as an explanation of the practice’s approach to delivering services.

These changes have been made in consultation with the BMA, the RCGPs, the NHS Alliance and the NAPC. However, before we launch the service we would like the views of PCTs, particularly web editors, about the issues and risks the change might create.

If you have immediate observations or questions please send them to Jonathon Carr-Brown, NHS Choices Involvement and External Affairs Lead via involve@nhschoices.nhs.uk. The availability of high quality information is vital for patients and will be the cornerstone of future commissioning. I hope you will support this initiative. Thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully,
Mark Britnell
Director General
Commissioning and System Management

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