PCT is first to use BI solution to assure the competency of GPs

London, 10 February 2010 – NHS business intelligence (BI) specialists, 21C, today announced that NHS Nottinghamshire County is using its appraisal and revalidation system to manage general practitioner (GP) appraisal and revalidation processes more efficiently. Using electronic forms and automated workflows the PCT is now streamlining and assessing GPs against Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards annually in a drive to meet NHS standards and improve patient care.

Introduced in 2000, the national programme for GP appraisal is designed to protect patients from incompetence, outdated skills and practices by actively assisting GPs in their continuing professional development

Using the BI system from 21C, NHS Nottinghamshire County can quickly and easily access statistics relating to the number of GPs that are due for revalidation, how many are currently in progress and deadlines for completion. The PCT can also leverage its existing knowledge bank. This may contain critical information about a GP such as gross misconduct, complaints or complimentary letters that can influence the outcome of the revalidation process. By utilising this bank, the PCT can provide critical information that may affect whether a particular GP should be recommended for revalidation by the GMC. By adopting this solution, the PCT can ultimately benefit from business continuity as well as significant time and cost savings.

Liz Heath, Business Manager to Medical Director of NHS Nottinghamshire County, said: “The biggest benefit is that we will have one place to confidentially store and access our intelligence on individual doctors. This allows the Responsible Officer to easily make a recommendation to the GMC on whether the GP should be revalidated. It is our responsibility to check for early warning signs and ensure doctors and patients remain fully protected as well as operate efficiently as an organisation.  By being the first PCT to adopt 21C’s solution, we hope to be ahead of the curve in terms of preparedness and continue to offer the highest level of patient care.”

Completed manually, the revalidation process is laborious; it requires the PCT to log information, collate data and produce reports.  21C’s solution enables NHS Nottinghamshire County to gather information from all different avenues in order to make a clear recommendation and provide data for the Medical Director, Dr Doug Black, on which he and the panel can make a recommendation or otherwise on whether the GP should be revalidated or not.

Doug Black, Medical Director at NHS Nottinghamshire County, commented: “It is highly important to oversee each doctor’s portfolio of evidence in an open and transparent way.  The appraisal process for GPs is rigorous and aims to quality assure GPs under revalidation. It is my duty to examine the doctor’s overall development and competence so that I can make a recommendation to the General Medical Council on a GP’s fitness to continue practising.  Undoubtedly, this process will become much easier with the benefits offered by 21C’s solution.”

Paul Henderson, 21C’s CEO said: “Nottinghamshire County understands the laborious nature of the GP appraisal process and wanted to make it as simple a process as possible.  By removing the manual work required and using electronic forms, the PCT can access information in real-time and make informed decisions quickly and efficiently – an essential requirement in this industry.