In 2009, the Department of Health set up 16 integrated care pilots that were designed to show that linking up health and social care could deliver a range of benefits, including fewer hospital admissions. Think-tanks recognised that IT would be an essential ingredient in the mix, and integration became a buzz word in the supplier community.

However, an independent evaluation has revealed that the pilots delivered few of the benefits hoped for. In particular, they found no evidence of a reduction in A&E admissions. Furthermore, existing IT systems were identified as a barrier to sharing data and communicating between healthcare teams.

Meanwhile, a London GP compare site is going great guns, with one third of practices registered to use it. Designer Dr Phil Kozcan told EHI Primary Care he was concerned that making indicators easily available, and encouraging comparisons on myhealthlondon, would invite a negative response from GPs; but good engagement meant issues were resolved before the site went live.

The last column by GP Neil Paul triggered a rash of comments about risk stratification tools. This week, his thoughts turn to data analysis and display. Also, EHI is running another survey of clinical commissioning groups and their IT plans; be sure to complete it to be in with a chance of winning £100 of Amazon vouchers.

Hakin timetables commissioning support

Just 20 commissioning support services could be set up in England if primary care trust clusters get authorisation for their plans.

Integrated care pilots show few benefits

An independent evaluation of the Department of Health’s integrated care pilots has shown they are delivering few of the benefits hoped for them.

Third of London GPs use myhealthlondon

More than a third of GP practices in London have registered with the GP compare site myhealthlondon, exceeding expectations for the three months after its launch.

Unions join BMA in call for pause on 111

The Royal College of Nursing and Unison have added their voices to calls for a pause in the roll-out of NHS 111.

TPP launches NHS 111 module

TPP is looking for NHS organisations to pilot its new call centre module for NHS 111.

EHI comment policy and TPP

For the past five months, EHI Primary Care has not permitted reader comments to be posted against news items concerning TPP.

EHI Primary Care is running a survey that will be used to inform future coverage of the plans that CCGs are making for IT support, new systems, and information and analysis services in the new NHS.

The survey contains 20 questions and should take no more than five minutes to complete. All the information provided will, of course, be treated in strict confidence; but as a thank-you for taking part there is an opportunity to enter a prize draw to win £100 of Amazon vouchers.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHI Primary Care editorial team.

"So unless someone can come up with an app that closes down burger outlets, reconfigures city centre bars and bans transfats, or a widget that makes work less sedentary or prevents people using their cars, this will not achieve much on the obesity front."

"This is just passing anxious patients from pillar to post and will cost the NHS more money in the long term."

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the RCN, expresses concern that moving from NHS Direct to NHS 111 will lead to an increase in unnecessary patient trips to hospital and GP practices.

EHI Primary Care

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