Software Launched to Dramatically Reduce Time GPs Spend on Third Party Reporting

GPs are set to be offered new software that creates third party reports and automatically redacts non-permitted information from patient records before they are sent, electronically, to third parties. Provided at no cost to GP practices across the UK and Northern Ireland, Intelligent GP Reporting - iGPR, developed by Niche Health and Inchware, will help to reduce the large amount of time GPs and administrative staff spend fulfilling third party information requests whilst supporting compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Research has shown that an average of 73 minutes is spent on each insurance request, and in many cases much longer. iGPR has already demonstrated that time spent can be reduced to as little as ten minutes per report, enabling doctors to use their time much more effectively.

Guy Bridgewater, managing director of Niche Health, said: "Doctors are under growing pressure to reduce the amount of time they spend on administrative tasks to enable them to see more patients. Meanwhile, they face complex challenges to protect patient confidentiality. With iGPR's successful redaction tool, patients can be reassured that their GP is providing only authorised data to third parties in a secure and legally compliant manner."

The redaction function automatically removes non-permitted medical information from the GP reports provided to third parties. This includes, for example, details of contraception, irrelevant negative test results and genetic testing information enabling the GP to maintain complete control of information leaving the practice. GPs can redact further information manually if required. It also allows payments to be processed electronically and speeds up the process of the report reaching the third party by sending it securely rather than through the post.

The new software is quick to install and integrates with all major clinical systems via the pocket or Patient Anywhere platform, which also provides GPs with remote electronic access to patient records. iGPR has already been adopted by one of the UK's largest insurers, Legal & General, with other major insurers ready to adopt in the coming months. The software can be used to create all insurance reports and as insurers adopt the system, reports will be sent electronically. In addition, iGPR supports the creation of reports for solicitors requesting information from GPs.

Russ Whitworth, underwriting and claims director for Legal & General, added: "GPs and insurers alike have a clear responsibility to protect the information of patients meanwhile providing the best possible service. As a responsible insurer we have led this process to ensure we can protect patient confidentiality and save GPs valuable time while providing the best possible service to those patients who are applying for insurance cover.

"It was important for us to work with a supplier like Niche Health who has a deep understanding of how to address the increasing challenges faced by those working in healthcare."

As the entire end-to-end process is speeded up, iGPR will have positive benefits for not only GPs, who often find it difficult to meet deadlines to turnaround such reports, but also patients, who will receive their insurance protection more quickly.

A statement from the ABI added: "iGPR has the potential to speed up offering insurance to customers whilst also reducing the risks of non-disclosure and of any claim subsequently being declined. It will save GPs valuable time when dealing with requests for medical information, whilst maintaining the security of patients' medical details."

About Niche Health
Niche Health was founded in December 2010 to address inefficient processes that exist in primary care. Niche Health helps GPs and their practices to improve operational performance and efficiency savings by delivering secure and compliant information technology and storage processes that help streamline records management in primary care.

About Legal & General
The information contained in this press release is intended solely for journalists and should not be relied upon by private investors or any other persons to make financial decisions.

The Legal & General Group, established in 1836, is one of the UK's leading financial services companies. As at 30 June 2014, Legal & General were responsible for investing £467 billion worldwide on behalf of investors, policyholders and shareholders. Legal & General also had over 7.9 million customers in the UK for our life assurance, pensions, investments and general insurance plans. Legal & General is one of the biggest providers of index-tracking investments in the UK, managing £268 billion as at 30 June 2014.

About Inchware
Inchware develops medical software for a variety of clinical systems. Its Pocket software gives healthcare professionals access to patient records in order to enhance efficiencies within the GP surgery. Inchware's Pocket software is available across a variety of clinical systems and provides quick access to the right information at the right time, streamlining once paper-based activities such as mobilising patient records for home visits to preparing third party reports.

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