NHS England has introduced Medicus Health’s cloud-based IT system, a significant milestone in GP technology. This endorsement by NHS England, the first of its kind in 25 years, underscores the quality and reliability of the system
The new IT system for general practices, approved by NHS England, is a significant upgrade for GPs after 25 years. This cloud-based platform is designed to revolutionise primary care delivery, enabling GPs to manage patient information more efficiently, reduce administrative workload, and enhance communication with other healthcare services such as care homes and vaccination centres. These benefits will ultimately elevate patient care.
“First shake-up of the GP IT market in a quarter of a century”
The cloud-based technology will integrate primary care with other settings, such as care homes and vaccination centres. It can be used across different devices, supporting the delivery of neighbourhood care.
This landmark move has been described as the “first shake-up of the GP IT market in a quarter of a century” and will help the NHS become more competitive, boost productivity and reduce admin time.
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS national director of primary care and community services, said: “This new generation of systems is the first shake-up of the GP IT market we have seen in a quarter of a century, and this shift will help unlock more modern, joined-up care for patients, and help our staff to work better and smarter.
“It also shows our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the NHS has access to the highest quality digital tools to transform the experience of patients and staff.”
Elevating patient care
In recent years, GP practices in England have had the option to choose between two IT suppliers for managing patient records. Now, a new core clinical IT system developed by Medicus Health is available to practices nationwide, with the system already live in four early-adopting sites, serving a total of over 42,000 patients.
This is the first new supplier to be fully assured through NHS England’s Tech Innovation Framework, which ensures that new products are fully compliant with information governance, clinical safety, and data protection, while integrating with NHS infrastructure, such as the Electronic Prescription Service, NHS e-Referral Service, and NHS App.
One of the first practices to adopt the new system is Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire, which has over 16,000 patients.
Dr Amar Ahmed, GP Partner at Wilmslow Health Centre, said: “I can access patient records instantly, making consultations smoother, and as we get more familiar with the system, we expect to see even greater benefits – more informed decisions, quick access to the right information, and a better overall experience for our patients and staff.
“Appointments are managed more smoothly, and our team communication has never been better. It’s the kind of efficiency that translates directly into patient care.”
Medicus Health integrates with 24 national NHS services and is the first to implement five new national open standards for information exchange, including for electronic prescriptions and referrals.
More than 25 integrated care boards are exploring how they can support the adoption of these new systems, with interest growing nationwide.
It is expected that more core GP IT systems that meet the standards of the Tech Innovation Framework will become available by April 2026, offering a wider choice for practices.
