The re-procurement, renewal and modernisation of existing GP clinical systems in Scotland to the next generation of centrally hosted systems is called GP IT re-provisioning. The three suppliers who are on the Framework Contract Agreement are Vision, EMIS and Microtest, and they are currently developing their systems so they can be tested and validated against the Scottish specification and requirements.

What are the implications for Scottish GP practices? Dr Neil Kelly, co-chair of the Scottish National Users’ group (SNUG) speaks to Robert Hutton, who works for National Services Scotland as implementation manager for the GP IT re-provisioning project about current progress. Robert describes what practices will have to think about before they form into cohorts, which will be required before a new system can be chosen within a health board by mini-competition. Neil also speaks to Brian Ponton, a practice manager in North Surgery, Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, about what he understands about, and is expecting from the GP IT re-provisioning process.

SNUG members can get more information and see videos from our members' day about the latest re-provisioning progress at the SNUG website https://www.snughealth.org.uk

You can also find more information at the following links (please note - only available via NHS Net):

https://www.gpit.scot.nhs.uk/faqs/

https://www.gpit.scot.nhs.uk/news-events/

SNUG is keen to hear your comments and we will try and answer any queries about GP IT re-provisioning or any other question you think SNUG can help with.

You can leave comments or ask questions:

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/snusersgroup or email [email protected]

This new series of podcasts is going to look at how technology supports health care in Scotland, and SNUG - the Scottish National Users group (https://www.snughealth.org.uk) - exists to try and ensure that people get the best healthcare through the best use of technology.

SNUG is a group of people who are involved in the delivery of health care through GP practices in Scotland. The SNUG Members' Day was held in May 2019 in Cumbernauld and a number of people gave short interviews about how SNUG provides a vital clinical voice to those who make decisions about what systems get used in general practice, and the day was also a great opportunity to see what current best practice is in GP IT and also to look at important new systems on display. Drs Bill Martin, Lucy Munro and Sean Kennedy, and Paul Hemsley describe how SNUG helps Scottish GP computer users.

We also hear from Sarah Everett, a practice nurse in Glasgow about how she designs templates to support better health care and can share these via the SNUG website.