NHS England calls for improved patient safety measures in primary care
In a recent guidance, NHS England emphasizes the need for IT systems in primary care to include clinical decision support and automatic flagging of patient safety issues. The ‘Primary care patient safety strategy’, released on 27 September 2024, outlines guidelines for reporting safety events and addressing underreported incidents related to online consultation tools.
NHSE stresses the importance of information systems that can flag issues like missed referrals and medication problems, as well as IT tools supporting clinical decisions and reliable referrals. They recommend EMIS and TPP for automatically flagging follow-ups and emphasize the role of digital inclusion in providing accessible tools for patients and staff.
The strategy also advocates for the involvement of general practice staff and patient groups in digital tool procurement processes, as well as the appointment of clinical safety officers to ensure ongoing improvement of patient safety. Kaye Reynolds, co-chair of the Digital Health Networks CSO Council, applauds the focus on the CSO role in assessing digital health tools for patient safety.
