American IT approach described as best for consortia

When I was a PCT chief exec it was not unusual for data to be three months out of date, whereas in the US risk stratification is absolutely their lifeblood and they know exactly where their patients are on a daily basis

The primary care lead at the King's Fund health think tank has urged GP consortia to follow the example of American physician-led organisations in designing their own IT systems. Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, who is also NHS East of England's director of primary care commissioning and a member of the board at the NHS Commissioning Development panel, told the Primary Health Info conference that pathfinder consortia were 'really moving ahead' despite the pause in the NHS reforms, but added that their number one issue was getting hold of timely, accurate information. He said: "When I was a PCT chief exec it was not unusual for data to be three months out of date, whereas in the US risk stratification is absolutely their lifeblood and they know exactly where their patients are on a daily basis."