SPERRIN Lakeland Trust (SLT) is the first Trust in the North to implement the Isoft 'GP Browser' product, enabling GPs to access their own patient's electronic patient records for the Erne Hospital and the Tyrone County Hospital services.

Jenny Humphreys PAS/OCM systems administrator said, "GP Browser has only been possible as a result of recent regional investment in the network infrastructure supporting and providing a link between all GP practices and the Health & Social Care Services for Northern Ireland."

"GP Browser enables GPs to access only their own patient's records, which will include waiting list information, planned treatments and the electronically stored episodic documents, for inpatient and outpatient activity. In addition, this on-line access provides an up-to-date view of current hospital inpatients and any discharges associated with their practice, so that GP and community related services can respond accordingly."

The Newtownstewart GP Practice was one of the first practices to use the 'GP Browser' service but now all GP practices in the SLT area have been provided with training and the 'GP Browser' product.

Commenting on the new service Michele McConomy GP Practice Manager said, "With access to the hospital information system, GPs, and our staff, no longer need to make time consuming telephone calls enquiring about progress on patient referrals or planned treatments, we now have this information at their fingertips."