Delivery of the Online Consultations System to the GP Practices

As part of its Digital Transformation Strategy, NHS England is encouraging the use of technology to empower patients and make it easier for clinicians to deliver high quality care, enabling patients to seamlessly navigate services. Online consultation for patients using GP practices is a contribution to this ambition.

The CCG have committed to undertake a six month pilot with up to six GP practices. Analysis will be undertaken during this phase to better understand benefits. Depending on the outcome, the CCG will decide on the full rollout to the remaining practices who would like to engage.

Across west Essex, we currently have 3 localities - Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford, comprised of 32 GP Member Practices serving a population of approximately 310,000 registered patients between them, with a vast variety of demographics from practice to practice.

Objectives of online consultation implementation:

• Reduce unnecessary appointments by directing patients to most efficient intervention
• Reduce GP / staff workloads as patients are able to access right person or service first time
• Reduce wait times for routine appointments
• Improve patient experience by providing improved service navigation
• Reduce queues at reception desks for busy practices by offering digital access
• Reduce the number of incoming phone calls by offering digital access to resolve queries
• Enable patients to manage their own health conditions as appropriate
• Provide additional digital channel to conduct consultations

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.