Message from Dr Kathy Ryan, Medical Director and Caldicott Guardian
Dear Colleagues,
The advent of access to EMIS for Out-of-Hours clinicians a few years ago was a game-changer. One GP described it as “providing care with the lights on”. So far so good. BUT, since then we have had multiple instances of clinicians accessing EMIS inappropriately. As Caldicott Guardian, I am less than chuffed. This has included access for themselves, for family, and for patients unrelated to SevernSide. Whatever the mitigations for personal access, it remains inappropriate and it is not acceptable. EMIS access is for professional purposes only, and ‘professional’ relates to SevernSide, or another agreed BrisDoc service, and not to other arenas.
Full detail are in the SOP below. As it says, and to remind you, it is fine to access EMIS before you ring a patient, or a paramedic etc, including beforehand if you think it likely in the patient’s best interests. It is fine to access EMIS for failed contacts or on behalf of a colleague ‘on the road’. Or to follow-up a case within two months. It is not fine to access it to see if your mum’s referral has been done or to check your friend’s blood result or to advise a colleague on the view of their specialist. Inappropriate access will lead to disciplinary action. As they say on drink-driving posters, it’s not worth it.
So, please use EMIS to enhance our care for SevernSide patients. End of.
Good Wishes,
Kathy