MONMOUTH AM Nick Ramsay has written to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Vaughan Gething AM, voicing local GPs’ dismay over proposed changes to their computer systems, which they claim would cause huge disruption to patient care.

 

Currently, the majority of Welsh GP practices use the EMIS Health Ltd computer system to record and share patient information and a proposal by NHS Wales to change to a new supplier, Vision Health and Microtest, has met with strong opposition. 

 

Mr Ramsay said, “There is obvious widespread frustration and annoyance among Monmouthshire GPs about the proposed changes, which come at a time when morale in |General Practice is at an all time low.

 

“EMIS is the preferred IT system of the majority of Welsh GP practices because it is   considered to best meet the clinical needs of patients - local GPs are therefore questioning why a relatively small operation such as Microtest has been selected instead.

 

“Monmouthshire GP partners fear that rather than having to learn another new computer system, those approaching retirement or with an option of taking early retirement may well decide to do so, while those not able to retire may look for work across the border in England.

 

“This decision by NHS Wales to switch suppliers is clearly causing deep disquiet and sparked real fears that Monmouthshire GP practices could be irreparably damaged.

 

I will do my best to support them on this issue.”