According to the Health Service Journal, it has been revealed that practices are struggling to phase out the old “Lloyd George” envelope patient record system
Despite the intended digitisation of these records, most practices continue to rely on the paper-based system. Out of England’s 42 integrated care boards, 18 have confirmed that their practices still use some form of the envelope system.
While only one board, Sussex, claimed that no practices use the envelopes anymore, the records are still being stored until they can be fully digitised. Among the 32 boards that responded to the investigation, North Central London reported that 11 out of its 203 practices have successfully digitised their records, with 35 currently in the process of doing so. In addition, 13 other boards mentioned that some practices have transitioned to digital records, but not all.
Dr. Neil Bhatia, a GP in Hampshire, shared with the journal the immense benefits of going fully digital. He mentioned that it had proven to be highly useful, freeing up three rooms in the practice for use by other clinicians.
The paper records posed significant fire and security risks. Dr. Bhatia also highlighted that he had received funding from NHS England for digitisation, and many other practices are eagerly waiting for such funding.
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