GP Connect Update Record Functionality

GP Connect: Update Record is a new feature that will allow consultation data to automatically flow from the pharmacy system to the GP system. This reduces the need for the pharmacy to send an NHSmail (usually done by PharmOutcomes) to the GP practice regarding consultations.

This will cover pharmacy consultations for Pharmacy First, Hypertension Case-Finding Service and Pharmacy Contraception Service.

IT suppliers should communicate with their users as they add the feature.

Pharmacy teams will want to familiarise themselves with:

• what Update Record is;
• related top tips;
• the pharmacy agreement in relation to use of GP Connect.

What is Update Record?

The Update Record feature allows community pharmacies to update patients’ records held by the GP practice with structured data. This ensures that the GP practice can efficiently receive and review the consultation details. This structured data will be stored in the patient’s record as a provisional consultation, and a workflow task will be created for the GP practice.

Pharmacy teams will not experience any significant differences in their system. However, once their Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) IT system suppliers have integrated with Update Record, teams need to be aware that their systems will automatically send messages to GP practices in a format that allows GP practice teams to update the patient record with relevant consultation details easily.

Top tips

Update Record is:

• not intended to be used for sending clinically urgent, safeguarding or time-sensitive information. Pharmacy colleagues should continue to use their existing methods to contact practices in these situations;
• not intended to be used for including any information into Update Record that should not be viewed by the patient themselves or by clinicians in other care settings.

Pharmacy agreement to use GP Connect

Pharmacy owners have been able to confirm their usage of GP Connect via the Manage Your Service (MYS) system during the registration process to provide the Pharmacy First service.

This involved the pharmacy owner confirming acceptance of:

• use for direct care;
• sharing patient data relating to NHS services from the pharmacy to the NHS;
• agreement to use the tool as appropriate;
• completion of the annual Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPTK) within the completion period;
• alignment with existing data protection legislation.

The patient privacy notice template on CPE’s data security templates webpage explains to patients that relevant clinical information may be shared with the NHS and other healthcare professionals as appropriate. This template can be used to cover the usage of GP Connect.