Up and moving...

Things are starting to move - with the 'prominent' placement of leaflets to introduce 'Records Access' as an option on the main reception desk at the surgery. We are having a few requests for detailed information each week, and 10 people now have RA passwords.

I am starting to recognise more clearly the challenge of managing another 'active list', creating and distributing passwords, activating access and planning the transition to a 'business as usual' plan. Not always straight forward with the priority being secure handling of this critical access information.

There is a significant workload that will need to be absorbed into routine working practices, but we aim to minimise printing costs by e-mail distribution of detailed leaflets and instructions.

The RCGP have been invited to lead a work stream that will determine the path and delivery of widespread RA across England. I hope they will be taking into account the ability and experience of all practices, not just the firm and established advocates. The very practical 'front end' administration at practice level needs to be deliverable by hard pressed staff with minimal resource implications. I suspect that many will be looking for a 'template' they can follow to enable RA with minimal effort, utilising literature that is trusted and building on early success with more straightforward transactional services.

Perhaps the close involvement of suppliers will help us to understand better how GP core or third party software needs to develop rapidly to smooth the administration of the process, and to generate easy automated reports.

Not feeling brave enough to 'actively recruit' patients as we are are likely to raise expectation beyond the capacity to manage the process yet!

Peter S