NHSX sets out intentions to improve electronic referral services

NHSX has set out its intentions to improve electronic referral services by including bookings and appointment management across health and care.

The organisation is calling on relevant suppliers to take part in market research to help develop strategies and frameworks for implementing electronic bookings, referrals and appointment management (BRAM) services.

The aim of the engagement is to “understand the availability of solutions that can support the electronic connection of services via booking, referral, and triage, from any point of referral to any service, agnostic of care setting”, according to an information notice.

In May 2019, the government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority recommended e-referral services be developed into BRAM services to increase patient access to health and care, and enable better communication between clinical teams and NHS services.

Interested suppliers will be asked to complete a questionnaire to help NHSX better understand “maturity of suppliers in the market and the ability to meet the BRAM capabilities”.

Capabilities include:

• End-to-end timeline of patient
• Integrated decision support
• Any-to-any service finder
• Universal booking system
• Relevant clinical data finder
• Referral builder
• Data updater
• Booking viewing and editing
• Next steps workflow manager

Interested suppliers have until September 8 to complete the questionnaire.

It comes as NHSX has launched a national survey to better understand the usability of electronic patient records.

The survey aims to gather information on how electronic patient records (EPRs) are performing across the country, including how they are used by clinicians and end users.

NHSX also said it is intending to work in collaboration with suppliers to help them interpret and respond to the results and, ultimately, to ensure that their products are optimised to support NHS need.