One of the first GP practices in England to go live with EMIS Web - the next generation system from leading GP software provider EMIS - has reported an extremely successful transition and immediate benefits.
Speaking at the EMIS National User Group conference today (9 September 2010), Margaret Baines, practice manager at St George's Surgery in Blackburn, Lancashire, said the move from EMIS LV to EMIS Web had been smooth, and the new system was already proving speedier for users.
She said: "Of course it wasn't without its teething troubles - changing an IT system is always going to throw up issues - but we were able to run a normal surgery on our first day and the new system is bedding in well.
"Although it is still early days, we are already seeing the advantages of EMIS Web. A key benefit is the speed of the system; information is rapidly available - you don't have to go looking for it and the system makes it easy for you to find what you need."
The practice, which serves a population of 8,500 patients from purpose-built premises close to Blackburn town centre, switched off its EMIS LV system at the end of the working day on Tuesday 11 May and went live with EMIS Web the next morning.
The move followed detailed preparation, including training for all practice staff through EMIS' 'familiarisation service', which allows practices to trial EMIS Web alongside their existing system, to get used to how it works.
Margaret said: "On go-live day, we had blocked off every other appointment so that the GPs had more time for their consultations - but by mid-morning they were calling us to say they were fine and to release the appointments.
"I have certainly found the system very easy and intuitive to use. However, it's such a powerful system that I think it will be several months before we really start to appreciate what it can do for us.
"For example, I can see huge potential through the search and reports module to generate information that will help me to generate more income or new clinics - but we need to take it step by step."
Speaking from the surgery Dr Nicholas Buckley, one of the practice's five GP partners said: "We had far fewer problems than we'd thought we might with the change of system. Like anything to do with computers, there's a limit to how much the theory will help you - you just have to leap in and do it.
"Once I learned how to use it, I've found EMIS Web much easier to navigate than LV - it's far easier and quicker to flick between different modes. I honestly don't know how I would cope now if I had to go back to the old system."
Gary Shuckford, EMIS Group Operations Director - who is overseeing the implementation of EMIS Web to live sites - said: "We are working hard to support all the first live practices through the transition to EMIS Web, and we are delighted that St George’s has had such a positive experience.
"However, we are realistic about the fact that there will be niggles along the way - no software project is without them. The important thing is that we are working closely with our users to address any concerns quickly."
On 7 September 2010, EMIS announced that it has received full roll-out approval for EMIS Web and that it can now begin installing the software to GP practices nationwide. As of 7 September, 141 orders for the new system have been received, and 980 practices have requested the familiarization service ahead of upgrading to EMIS Web.
About EMIS Group
EMIS Group is the UK's leading supplier of software and related services to GP practices. 52.5% of GPs in the UK use an EMIS system, and EMIS software holds approximately 39 million patient records.
EMIS' core activities include software licensing and support, hardware support and maintenance services, hardware sales, third party software sales and training services.
The Group's software includes all of the functionality specified in NHS accreditation standards for GPs, including holding the patient's cradle to grave electronic healthcare record, practice appointment booking systems and consultation and intelligent prescribing modules.
EMIS Web represents the next generation of clinical software systems and the Directors believe it has the potential to transform the delivery of healthcare by enabling GPs and other healthcare practitioners to connect with each other and securely share access to a patient's cradle to grave electronic health record Established in 1987, EMIS' shares were listed on AIM under the trading symbol EMIS.L following a successful fundraising in March 2010.
In August 2010, EMIS' acquired 78.9% Rx Systems Limited, a supplier of integrated pharmacy and retail systems for community pharmacies. RX has a significant customer base of 2,500 pharmacies, representing a 20.5% share of this market.