With GP Connect replacing the MIG system for DCR users in early March, we have created a Frequently Asked Questions section to help you out.
What is GP Connect?
GP connect aims to support better clinical care by opening up information and data held within GP practice IT systems for use across health and social care. The GP connect vision will be achieved by standardising integration and simplifying the operating model.
The service makes patient medical information available to all appropriate clinicians when and where they need it to support direct patient care, leading to improvements in both care and outcomes.
GP connect will save time for clinicians, and provide better, more convenient care for patients. It will also help meet targets under NHS England’s improving access to general practice programme.
The programme is supporting extended access providers, the creation of primary care networks and the local health care record exemplar approaches highlighted in the NHS long term plan.
What are the benefits of GP Connect?
Among the benefits will be:
- Richer information with more detailed notes and readings
- A broader level of information being exchanged
- An easier way to facilitate new information being added – as the GP Connect standard evolves, additional information will be displayed automatically.
What difference will I notice on the live system?
You will find information stored in the Clinical Document View under the summary tab rather than the GP Record tab. The categories may be different but the content is all there.
Can I see a video of what I can find in the summary tab?
Yes, you can. This can be found on the Dorset Care Record’s closed YouTube channel at
Dorset Care Record and GP Connect – YouTube
What happens if there is no information about the patient that I am searching?
There will be four possible reasons why the page is blank:
- The GP Surgery has decided not to share the record
- The citizen has decided to opt out of sharing their record
- The citizen lives outside the country boundary
- The patient is nationally sensitive
Where is the surgery listed?
This is can be found in the summary tab beneath primary care.
What is available in GP Connect
The following tabs can be found:
- Summary views
- Referrals
- Problems and Issues
- Clinical Observations
- Medications
- Immunisations
- Encounters
- Clinical items
- Allergies and adverse reactions
- Administrative issues
What additional information will I find in GP Connect compared to the MIG?
GP Connect view is often richer than MI and contains all clinical (coded) data items as well as allowing you to view emergency codes, including COVID status. It also includes more medication information , such as number of issues, days duration etc and more encounter information, including patient response.
GP Connect also has more observation information, including height, weight, BMI, BP, Oxygen saturation, alcohol consumption and pulse rate. Immunisation information includes manufacturer, and batch number, while there is more problem information including Advance Care data such as Gold Standard framework, EoL register, DNaCPR status, etc. Additionally when the GP has linked the medications to a problem, this is brought through by GP Connect.
Why can I not see some information in such detail in GP Connect?
In changing over to GP Connect standards we acknowledge there are differences in some of the data sets available, but believe as a package the newer approach offers more as well as bringing us in line with national standards. We welcome feedback from our users, and will raise any questions with the national NHS Digital team. As we have said, this is a first step with these new standards, which are continuing to evolve. As a programme we are now working with suppliers to support the sharing of structured data, which will further improve the breadth of information and usability within the DCR.
Will there be more from GP Connect in the future?
Yes, this is just the first stage of GP Connect. There are more exciting development plans in the pipeline.
Where can I find out more information?
If you need to speak to someone please either call our Helpline number: 0345 200 0026 or email us at dcrsystemadmin@dorsetcc.gov.uk
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