Communicating with GPs through SystmOne
SystmOne allows for greater communication directly with GPs and other primary care clinicians. However, it is really important that we follow the right process when communicating or assigning tasks to GPs through SystmOne (S1).
Standard operating procedure
All GP practices in Derbyshire that use SystmOne (S1) have a S1 universal task box called 'EXTERNAL TASK TO GP PRACTICE'.
There is a Derbyshire-wide standard operating procedure on the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website which sets out the correct way to both communicate with GPs and allocate tasks via SystmOne.
Please read and follow this standard operating procedure (SOP). At a glance it appears long, but only because it includes details of the whole process from all sides – i.e. technical details, contact numbers for help, support, etc. It is worth reading through the whole document, but the key points can be found in the flow chart in Appendix A (page 9).
In summary...
In essence, the key parts of the process are:
- Colleagues should phone if something is urgent.
- If a routine task is being requested, an electronic message should be sent either to the Universal S1 Task Box or to the generic email address for practices on EMIS.
- The SBARC format (situation – background – assessment – request, response, recommendation – contact details) should be used for all messages.
- Primary care should respond in a similar way.
GP contact details
The NHS Service Finder website is updated regularly containing the latest public/non-public contact information for all service providers. This may be an useful link for colleagues wishing to contact a GP practice urgently as described in the SOP.
