Fingerprint health record access wins £3,000 prize

A group of GP practices, which enable patients to access their records using biometrics and view health information and book appointments online in kiosks, has won a £3,000 award for its use of IT.

The Imaginative Health Cluster, which covers almost 38,000 patients in Derbyshire, was installed at the beginning of the year and features touch screens and prescription ordering. When patients register at the practices, they can have their fingerprints taken. These are then used as identification to access the kiosk service.

Dr Tim Scott (right), partner at Staffa Health in Alfreton, Derbyshire, one of the practices using the system, said: "We are trying to initiate self-care. Patients need to learn about their illnesses and how to monitor them, as well as where to go for more education. We are encouraging them to take more responsibility."

Dr Stuart Sanders, partner at Bethell, Harvery and Saunders in Dronfield, added: "Our patients love it. There’s a feel good air about the place."

Wendy Sunney, practice manager at Staffa Health, told EHI Primary Care: "The objective was to improve the experience for patients and staff by providing usable information for patients in an easily accessible way."

She explained that the system frees up the time of reception staff, as well as empowering patients.

The award will now be used to fund initiatives that were planned but not implemented due to lack of finance; for instance, access for patients to a health library and to an interactive mental health programme.

The cluster has been publicised in a series of open days across the area covered by the four practices. "It’s becoming very successful. The patients are hugely interested in it," she told EHI Primary Care.

The £3,000 prize was awarded by the GP Enterprise Awards 2005, organised jointly by GP magazine and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Dr Mayur Lakhani, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "I am proud of the work of GPs who have once again demonstrated their great ability to innovate."

Picture: Pete Hill/Catherine Scott