GM Care Record steps up the pace of change and establishes formal benefits programme

The NHS, local government and academia in Greater Manchester have established a rigorous 3-stage benefits realisation programme for the GM Care Record, working in partnership with Graphnet.

This follows rapidly on the accelerated go-live this summer of a single, GM-wide shared care record holding information on 2.8m citizens – an extensive programme of work delivered at speed to provide frontline professionals across the city-region with vital information in the fight against Covid-19.   This was delivered by Health Innovation Manchester with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) and each of the 10 localities within Greater Manchester.

The GM Care Record is currently being used to access over 70,000 patient records a month, has over 9,000 users and connects over 500 organisations including primary and secondary care, mental health and community trusts, out of hours services, specialist trusts, social care and the region’s ambulance service. Early feedback indicates that use of the record is saving time, improving clinical decision-making and informing a more joined-up care pathway.  Some 35% of healthcare professionals attending a recent workshop estimated 30 minutes or more is saved a day as a result of record access.

The aim of the new benefits realisation programme is to ensure that the pace of change is maintained and maximum impact is gained from giving health and care professionals access to patient information at the point of care held within GP, hospital, mental health and social care records. 

Brian Waters, chief executive of Graphnet, said:  “It is great to be working in such as a structured way to ensure the care community and patients get maximum benefits from the shared record.  We are pleased to be able to support our customers in this way.”

The benefits work is focusing on measuring impact in five key areas:  implementation; integrating services; providing safe, high quality care to all; improving management of vulnerable patients; and delivering productivity savings. 

Testimonials include:

Using Graphnet this morning, I have managed to find out that a patient we were going to see today has suspected COVID, so we have cancelled the face to face contact and will communicate by phone. This is good news as reduces risk to staff. 

Consultant Psychiatrist & Associate Medical Director Manchester & Citywide Services Network

One person I support had been waiting for an outpatient’s appointment, but had not had a letter. On checking the GM Care Record, the appointment was detailed with date and time. I was able to contact the department to confirm and then let my gentleman know the details. He never had a letter so would have missed the appointment otherwise.

Social worker 

I have noticed some big improvements in the GM CR and it has made my clinical work a lot easier. Working in a satellite renal clinic, we have people cross from other regions of GM and previously I had no access to results or other info.

The recent updates and inclusion of Tameside and Oldham have made my work much more efficient and effective.

Consultant acute and renal medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Our patients suffering often from delirium as well as functional and organic illness, have changing medical records every day with frequent tests and medication changes; they are at high risk of hospital admission.  The ability to check the latest GP medication lists/diagnosis and blood results really enables clinical safety… 

Thank you for enabling this.

Specialty doctor old age psychiatry MBCHB AFFIL RCPSYCH

The main benefit is it has saved me time on hold waiting to speak to someone at a surgery regarding medications…It could save 10-15 minutes per patient if I needed to phone to get some information. I would say this could occur at least once a clinic, and I do 4 clinics a week.

Heart failure nurse specialist

It has had a huge impact. For example, now I can see the GP records for a patient who lives in Wigan, which was impossible before.

As a consultant in a big tertiary centre it makes a huge difference. Most patients wouldn’t think that would be such a transformative thing, but it is.

Clinical decision making is simpler as we now have up-to-date information on test results, care plans, medications and social care support.

Binita Kane, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Manchester University Foundation Trust

The Record helps us to effectively and safely share patient information across healthcare settings. This helps speed up the treatment for our patients who may be suffering from potentially life threatening conditions. Having access to information when a GP practice is shut has been incredibly beneficial.

It really does help services work better together ensuring we provide the highest level of care to those who need us.

Dr Simon Irving, Consultant in Acute Medicine, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Visit Health Innovation Manchester for more information on the GM Care Record.