Online access to patient information in Wales

Gateway technology is to be evaluated over the coming months to see if it can be used by NHS Wales to support patients’ online access to health services.

The intention is to create online access to services such as repeat prescription requesting or appointment booking at GP practices, according to Informing Healthcare, Wales’ NHS IT programme.

As part of the work, Informing Healthcare says it has engaged e-government specialists EzGov Europe to provide advice on the use of government gateway technologies ‘with a particular focus on usability and security.’

An implementation board has also been announced to oversee the delivery of Informing Healthcare’s newly published overall plan for healthcare IT development.

The board’s responsibilities include determination of priorities, phasing, investment, communication and financial planning. It will include representatives from NHS Wales, Wales’ six healthcare communities, the supplier community and senior executives from Informing Healthcare.

The plan covers a wide range of developments including the Welsh Clinical Portal, Welsh Demographic Services, PAS replacements and the roll out of individual health records for out-of-hours services to additional health communities following a pilot in Gwent.