North-west GPs to view test results over NHSnet

GPs in the Liverpool area will be able to see the pathology and radiology results of their patients over NHSnet, thanks to the implementation of browser-based access to test results.

The Review software, provided by Indigo 4, was installed across Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust, making the total number of trusts in the north-west running the system four.

Ann Hayes, implementation manager at one of the previous adopters, Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, said: "The benefits for the patient in this respect are tremendous; after all, who will the patient go to in the first instance if they are worried about a result? Their GP of course.

"Why should they have to wait for the medical secretary to type a letter to their GP when information can be obtained online?"

The system installed in Aintree also provides clinical staff on wards access to test results, as well as the graphing of results.

"The pathology departments have noticed a massive drop in telephone calls," said Hayes. "No longer do they have to print duplicate results for wards and departments."

"Clinicians are able to print and graph pathology results, have access to radiology reports, print them, and also have access to all endoscopy reports including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and ERCP reports," she added.

According to Indigo 4, the Review system can integrate with several existing pathology and radiology systems, such as those supplied by iSOFT, Clinisys and HSS.

Review was first implemented in Buckinghamshire in 2003 before being brought to the north-west of England. Other trusts that are running the system include Stockport and Southport & Ormskirk.