Digital Services

Search View all results Filter by Type Select all Pages Blog posts Case studies Books News Articles Events Challenge NHS England wanted to standardise how pharmacies share consultation data with GPs. Approach By focusing on interoperability and speeding up assurance processes, we ensured seamless and secure data sharing. Result With real-time data sharing, only 8% of patients are referred back to GPs, reducing pressure on primary care. The challenge: sharing patient data In January 2024, NHS England launched the Pharmacy First initiative, enabling over 10,000 pharmacies to treat common conditions such as sinusitis, earache, shingles and urinary tract infection (UTI) without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. To ensure patient records remain accurate and up-to-date, pharmacies need to be able to share consultation data with GPs. Without a digital solution, this data sharing often relies on outdated methods like phone calls or faxes, leading to delays and potential mistakes. Interoperability has long been a challenge for the NHS. With multiple systems and suppliers in place, making sure that patient data flows smoothly between both services is critical for both safety and efficiency. The NHS Direct Care API Team asked us to develop a standardised approach, ensuring data could flow seamlessly between pharmacies and GPs with the click of a button. Our role involved setting clear standards, assuring supplier compliance and conducting thorough testing. Pharmacist scanning medicine at a counter Our approach: streamlined data sharing Defined clear standards : We started by developing detailed technical specifications outlining how the code should be written and how the systems should communicate. These were designed to ensure consistency, security and accuracy in data sharing. Supported suppliers : We worked closely with 6 suppliers (2 GP and 4 pharmacy system suppliers). Our experienced team, composed of technical architects, business analysts, delivery managers and user researchers held regular sessions to answer their questions, resolve technical issues and ensure their builds met the required standards. Technical assurance : We tested the solutions against strict technical standards to ensure they were secure and reliable. Clinical assurance : Clinicians reviewed the systems to confirm they worked correctly and safely for real-world use. Streamlined testing : We introduced a more agile process to speed up clinical assurance. Instead of lengthy, fragmented reviews, we organised joint sessions where all suppliers, clinicians and safety engineers could review the solutions together. This reduced delays and encouraged faster issue resolution. First-of-type rollout : Once the solutions passed all tests, we supported a trial phase in real-world settings. This ensured the systems performed as expected and allowed us to address any final issues before a wider rollout. Results: improved patient safety Since launch, up to 4 million people have accessed the Pharmacy First service, many through GP referrals. Impressively, only 8% of patients using the service are referred back to their GP . This highlights the effectiveness of pharmacists in managing conditions independently. Specifically, the solution has helped to: Improve patient safety Accurate and timely data reduces the risk of errors, such as duplicate prescriptions. Eliminate abuse of the system Reducing the possibility of someone attempting to get multiple prescriptions Speed up information sharing Real-time updates reduce delays in sharing critical patient data. Save time Minimising manual processes saves time for both pharmacy and GP staff. Standardise systems A consistent approach ensures all systems work together seamlessly, regardless of the supplier. Specifications are now published for all to use on the NHS website. Next steps for we and NHS England NHS England has now asked us to help them improve the end-to-end assurance process, building on our deep understanding of the system. We’ll streamline implementation, enhance standards and governance, and scale these improvements across healthcare services to ensure faster, more reliable solutions that benefit patients and staff nationwide. Digital transformation Digital transformation is more than tools and buzzwords. Rethink how you deliver digital services to make them more accessible, efficient and better for users. Health and life sciences As patient numbers rise, digital technology can help you lighten the load. Speak with an expert Tags Digital transformation Health and care Stay in the loop Get expert insights delivered monthly Case Study Making NHS Gloucestershire’s mental health services more accessible to children and young people We worked closely with the NHS in Gloucester to digitalise access to over 100 mental health support services. Blog Post Digital priorities for the National Care Service The new government faces significant challenges in transforming public services, especially in health and social care. Paul O'Looney's blog outlines the 5 key digital priorities for the proposed National Care Service. 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