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IT System at Medical Centre

by Haddenham Webteam – 11th January 2013
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computer frustration

Dr Howcutt and colleagues at the Medical Centre have announced that their IT system will be replaced this month (January 2013). This despite the fact that the current system was only installed in August last year.

The change is required because the latest system will no longer be supported by its providers beyond October. Rather than spend several months learning how to use the latest system and then change, Dr Howcutt and colleagues have decided to move to a new system as soon as possible. This will take place in January.

So, very regrettably, the lengthy and painstaking process of transferring patient records will have to occur all over again. The staff are keen to reassure patients that confidential medical information will be protected throughout the migration process.

Key Dates:

The new IT system will be installed and ready to function by Friday 18th January 2013.
For several days prior to this deadline, the Medical Centre will not be able to provide routine bookable appointments or repeat prescriptions – only urgent consultations.

Any repeat prescriptions should have been requested before Friday 11th January 2013

Questions & Answers

What happens if I need to see a GP or a practice nurse?

We will not be able to use the computers fully from Monday 14th January to Friday 18th January. We will not have use of our clinical system that holds the medical records or the appointment system. We will not be able to offer appointments for routine problems or book appointments over this time. Our doctors and nurses will be available for urgent problems as usual. Please ring the surgery if you have an urgent problem to request a telephone consultation, an appointment on the day or a home visit if too ill to travel to the surgery.

So can I book an appointment for after your computer change instead?

As part of the installation of a new computer system for our clinical records, the computer appointment system is also changed. This will not be ready until Friday 18th January. We cannot book appointments using this until after it is installed and we have set up the appointments on it. We tried hard to find a way of setting this up beforehand but this was not possible. We recognise this is frustrating for patients who want to book ahead and we apologise for this. We have arranged to have extra receptionists available on the phones on Monday 21st January to take bookings for appointments for the rest of January and February.

Will I still be able to book appointments on-line?

Our new computer system allows on-line booking of appointments as before. This is a different system though and so this will require patients to register on a new website. We will provide details for this once we know the change has been successful. Details will also be available on our practice website (www.haddenham.org). In view of some comments we've had recently, we would like to remind patients that not all appointments are available to be booked on line. This is to ensure that patients without computer or internet access are not at a disadvantage.

How can I get my repeat prescriptions?

We will not be able to print out repeat prescriptions after Friday 11th January until Monday 21st January. If you are likely to need repeat prescriptions over this time please order before midday on Friday 11th January.

If you need an urgent repeat prescription over this time and cannot wait until Monday 21st January, please discuss this with one of the receptionists.

Will I still be able to order my repeat prescriptions on-line?

Our new computer system allows on-line ordering of repeat prescriptions. This will be the same new system as the appointments and will require patients to register with the new website. We will provide details for this once we know the change has been successful. Details will also be available on our practice website (www.haddenham.org). The repeat prescription ordering service is built-in to our new clinical system and so will be more reliable than our current system.

What about results?

We will not have easy access to test results or letters from hospitals. If we receive any abnormal results that need urgent action we will contact you as normal. Otherwise please wait until after our computer changes if you need to obtain results.

In the near future, our new computer system will allow patients to see their own results through the same website that they can book appointments and order repeat prescriptions. We will provide more information on this when the service is available.

So is everything back to normal on Monday 21st January?

We aim to return to normal service on Monday 21st January but please be aware that although we have had training, we will be running a little slowly as we get used to the new computer systems. Please be patient with us.

I was reading the article about your computer problems in the Bucks Herald the other day. Will I need to re-register as a patient with the practice?

No. Since the article appeared we have had a number of patients worry that once the changes are completed they will have to re-register as patients with the practice. Patients will only have to register again with the on-line system for booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions; they will not need to re-register with the practice.


Will I still be able to order my repeat prescriptions on-line?

Yes – but as the system is changed, patients will need to register with the new system for on-line booking of appointments or ordering repeat prescriptions. We will provide details for this once we know the change has been successful. Details will also be available on our practice website (www.haddenham.org). The repeat prescription ordering service is built-in to our new clinical system and so will be more reliable than our current system.

To read a more detailed explanation from Dr Howcutt, please click here

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