TPP launches NHS 111 module

TPP is looking for NHS organisations to pilot its new call centre module for NHS 111.

The SystmOne module is a management system for organisations deploying the free urgent care number that is patient demographic service compliant.

It can send electronic referrals directly to other services, including dispatching messages straight to ambulance services.

TPP clinical director John Parry said the company would work closely with partner organisations to get the product to market “as soon as they were able to take it."

“Part of the initial pilot is to generate statistical outputs as quickly as possible, because we completely understand that for the provider of the service the efficiency of the software will be absolutely essential,” he said.

A key advantage is that the module is part of the SystmOne estate, so customers will benefit from the company’s experience in rolling out clinical software and from its standards for disaster recovery, Parry said.

A further benefit is that organisations in areas with high usage of SystmOne will have access to an integrated primary and community care record.

With local agreement, this could be made available to people in the NHS 111 service and out-of-hours providers.

Call takers will have access to a patient’s Summary Care Record if they are not with a TPP practice.

Parry said TPP had developed the NHS 111 module to give health communities with a high uptake of SystmOne the opportunity to “provide a complete patient journey from primary care to urgent care and back."

“It seems the logical conclusion of that part of the patient’s pathway," he added.

"Because 111 is now the preferred method of delivery in out-of-hours and unscheduled care, it is a logical progression for us to undertake this piece of work, especially as we already have so much infrastructure in place.”

TPP clinical systems analyst Rick Schoules said that TPP had PDS compliance while some other suppliers were using interim solutions, which could increase the time spent on a call and therefore increase costs.

He said the company already had interest from some NHS organisations about trialling the new module and was keen to hear from others.

The government has set a target for all healthcare communities to be using NHS 111 by April 2013.

However, doctors’ organisations have urged the government to relax the deadline, so lessons can be learned from pilot sites and so clinical commissioners can have more say in the development of the service locally.