The development and implementation of information systems across the NHS, as outlined in Information for Health, will allow Primary and Secondary care clinicians to communicate more effectively. They will have faster access to reports that other colleagues have made in respect of their patients.

The initial focus was on connections - firstly that all clinicians and their support staff should have access to the NHS network - and secondly that all remaining staff had access. Once these links are in place, the focus will shift towards exchanging information across the networks and between Organisations.

For Primary Care clinicians, this has enabled the electronic on-line booking of hospital outpatients and some day case clinic appointments, at a time that is convenient to the patient. In addition, the sharing of radiology, discharge reports and pathology results is set to become routine. These links have helped to provide faster and more appropriate patient care, allowing routine reporting to take place quicker and so reduce the time that patients have to wait for information.

Further developments will include links with other services such as pharmacies for electronic prescribing and links with hospital based social services staff, for more effective planning of discharges.