Graphnet and TPP agree data deal

TPP and Graphnet have announced a collaboration to enable data transfer between their systems, SystmOne and Care-Centric.

A single sign-on process will allow users of Graphnet software to securely access the full record of a patient, via a SystmOne viewer.

SystmOne users will also be able to view the record, with relevant consent, for any patient cared for at a healthcare organisation using Graphnet.

Graphnet marketing director Alan Mallyon said the company had been in talks with TPP about the integration for a number of years.

The company already has a similar agreement with GP system suppliers EMIS and INPS. “Having a relationship with all the suppliers is very important to us,” he said.

“When we are looking at a health community we now can give a more comprehensive coverage. We think this is a very positive step for medical informatics in the country.”

Mallyon said health professionals’ views on sharing health information had changed over the past 15 years.

“When we first started, people were very sceptical about sharing information and didn’t really realise the benefits for the patient.

“Now, particularly when they are dealing with patients with long term conditions, health professionals really do accept that sharing information can help to create a very positive outcome.”

TPP clinical director Dr John Parry said the collaboration was designed to help clinicians provide integrated care.

“Particularly in areas of high SystmOne coverage, this latest integration will provide essential and accurate information from the detailed care record, enabling clinicians to make quicker and safer medical decisions,” he said.

The companies said there were several organisations interested in using the integration, including two GP practices in Trafford who are due to deploy SystmOne in Summer 2012.

Trafford healthcare NHS Trust uses a Graphnet electronic patient record, and worked with the company on a system that lets GPs and secondary care clinicians view parts of its records and GP extracted records on a single patient file.

Similar systems are also in use in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.