Scanning services

Tender description

NHS England is seeking to develop a national approach to the digitisation of Lloyd George records in GP practices. There are currently 6993 GP practices in England service a population of 54 700 000 patients. Some practices have already digitised their records and nationally supported pilots have informed the development of an approach, specification and set of standards and process map. These documents, which are available via the InTend eProcurement system, are still in draft form and being tested nationally prior to being published. There are 4 main reasons for digitisation of Lloyd George records: — safer care for patients, — release of space within practices to provide additional consultation areas, — access to the full patient record at the point of care, — GP contract commitment to digitise all Lloyd George records by March 2023. NHS England are seeking views from potential suppliers to inform the national approach and specification. It is proposed to establish a dynamic purchasing system framework (DPS) which will allow NHS contracting bodies e.g. CCGs/STPs to procure services on a regional/local basis. This could include 2 Lots — 1 for storage of the digital records in a cloud based solution and 1 for upload of the digital records directly to the Foundation Clinical Systems (currently EMIS, SystmOne, Vision and Microtest). The GP Contract requires that by 2022/23, Lloyd George notes will be digitised and patients will have access to their records. The agreed approach, therefore, needs to ensure that CCGs can award contracts to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who can deliver against this requirement, whilst keeping the burden to practices to a minimum. The contract period for the DPS will remain open (valid) for approximately 3 years with a possible extension up to 24 months. Since 1999 the use of digital technology within general practice has increased; GP consultations are recorded electronically, prescriptions are issued electronically and more recently records are transferred electronically. However, there still exists a large volume of paper records typically in the form of a Lloyd George (LG) patient record. These records are still utilised within general practice however transferring them to a digital medium would provide significant benefits. Each Lloyd George envelope has a broad range of detailed personal information stored inside and maintaining the security and accuracy of these legacy records are vital. Paper records are over 70 years old in a state of deterioration therefore becoming illegible coupled with the fact the information they hold it vital and paramount for safe medical practice. The security and accuracy of these records is vital and needs to be preserved. The lack of continuity and resilience within the paper record poses a risk to the ongoing, continuity of person-centred care.